By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a “Chamber of Commerce” autumn evening on Nov. 6 at Jack Groce Stadium, a rare “Beaver Moon” (also known as a “supermoon”) lighting things up over the grandstands in the night sky. The Watauga High School men’s soccer team was “feelin’ it,” often dominating possession vs. North Iredell in Round 2 of the NCHSAA 6A state playoffs. A 3-0 win vs. a strong opponent in the Raiders was the evening’s post-Halloween treat.
BONUS PHOTOS @ Bottom of Article (Click any image for larger version and Slide Show Mode)
Quincy Honeycutt led things off with a “worm burner” from in front of the net early in the first half (Ben Myers was credited with the assist) for the game’s first score. It was a tenuous lead that held through halftime intermission.
Then, in the second half, Noah Van Werkhoven headed a corner kick that first appeared to have been stopped by the Raiders’ goalkeeper — but the ball ripped through his hands and trickled through to the net for Watauga’s second goal.
The Series: Noah Van Werkhoven’s header goal
Later in the half, Luke Hamilton lofted the ball to upper right corner of the Raiders-defended goal, but the goalkeeper made a sensational save, deflecting the bullet over the crossbar. Not much later, Hamilton got another opportunity and this time sent the ball whizzing by the diving keeper for the last score and game clincher for the Pioneers.
Two things stood out in this contest. First, for a good part of the match a well-skilled, very talented North Iredell team went toe-to-toe with Watauga, turning back most of the Pioneers’ opportunities in Watauga’s attacking third of the field.
Second, and this may well have been the difference-maker, Watauga’s high level of fitness seemed to wear down the Raiders as the match evolved. The second half saw the Pioneers not only keeping possession with their one- and two-touch, short passes to open teammates, but manufacturing more relentless opportunities in the attacking third. Periodically, North Iredell developed some counterattacks, augmented by long, downfield passes, but the Watauga defenders and midfielders responded quickly to turn away any threats.
With the win, No. 4-seeded Watauga advances to Round 3 of the state playoffs and will host No. 5 Mount Tabor (Winston-Salem) on Monday, Nov. 10, with kickoff slated for 6:30 p.m. It should be an interesting, early winter test for both sides as the weather forecast on Nov. 10 is for 28 degrees Fahrenheit as the high, 18 degrees low.
The winner of the Watauga vs. Mt. Tabor match will advance to play the winner of No. 1 seed A.C. Reynolds and No. 8 seeded Alexander Central in Round 4.
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger version and Slide Show Mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
