Watauga MSOC strengthens 4A playoff position with 2-0 win over Alexander Central

October 11, 2023

726

Watauga's Adam Hill (5), right, goes up for a header among a crowd in front of the Alexander Central goal on Oct. 11. Photographic image by David Rogers

By David Rogers. TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — For win No. 100 as the Watauga High School men’s soccer team head coach, Josh Honeycutt could hardly ask for more than what he got: a 2-0 “revenge game” victory over Alexander Central — on the road, no less.

BONUS PHOTOS AT BOTTOM OF ARTICLE (click any image for slideshow mode)

Both Watauga goals were unassisted, the first early in the first half by Stryker Ward, the second late in the game by Lade Oguntoyinbo.

“This is the Watauga team I have been waiting for,” Honeycutt said after the game. “We put two great halves together against a very good team. We have had glimpses of it. We have had halves. We have had decent games but we have not had it come together the way I know these guys can play until tonight. If they commit to being that team every time we step on the field we will be a very hard team to beat.”

Right from the get-go against the Cougars on Oct. 11, Watauga played with a sense of urgency. The intensity of their play was obvious in beating their opponents to the ball and controlling possession.

“We also did well tonight moving the ball, staying connected. We moved the ball around tonight without losing possession”

The Pioneer defense was impenetrable on this night.

“We defended really well tonight,” said Honeycutt, now in his seventh year as head coach of Watauga. “Their No. 22 (freshman forward Jaylen Bennett) is really, really fast and we didn’t give him many opportunities tonight.”

Midfielder Alex Aguilar (16) takes aim at the goal on Oct. 11 at Alexander Central. Watauga won, 2-0. Photographic image by David Rogers

Honeycutt added that the performance wasn’t perfect.

“Finishing is one area where we can still improve,” he said. “As much as we controlled possession, there were probably two, maybe three or four more goals we should have scored. We have to finish.”

Now at 5-2 in Northwestern Conference (7-10-1 overall), Watauga holds a slim, one-half game lelad over Alexander Central (4-2-1, 10-4-2) as the top 4A school in NWC play. The Pioneers will try to spoil 3A contender, Hibriten’s unblemished conference record (7-0, 14-2-3) on Monday, Oct. 16, back home in Jack Groce Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m., following the junior varsity game.