The Rocky Mount High defenders dropped back and started to relax. The forwards lobbed the ball to each other up and down the pitch. Coach Patrick Sensiba moved from the sideline to the bench and leaned back against a mess of blue plastic.
The lead appeared to be safe. The match and, more important, a playoffs win for the Gryphons appeared to be in hand.
And then the Western Alamance Warriors scored. And then they scored again. And then the outcome of the match did not appear anywhere near as certain.
Yes, the Rocky Mount girls' soccer team picked up a 4-3 home win Wednesday afternoon over Western Alamance in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs. But this was no walk in the park or, for that matter, on the pitch.
"Fatigue shows," Sensiba said. "We were on, as far as scoring goals, and I was pleased with the way we came out in the second half. But we just fell asleep in the backfield. They get a lead and they think they're just going to coast. Not in the playoffs."
A week ago, during a run to the NEW 6 Conference tournament championship game, the Gryphons (14-7-1) struggled to score. During the semifinals and the championship game, they scored only two goals in 205 minutes.
But on Wednesday against the Warriors (12-8) they scored goal after goal, four during a 29-minute spurt that stretched across halftime, but struggled to hang on for the win.
"We get overconfident and we just get sloppy," forward Michelle Barringer said. "We just have to tighten up."
Barringer scored the first goal of the match during the 36th minute to give the Gryphons a 1-0 halftime lead. Then midfielder Kelsey Benson scored two minutes into the second half on a dribbler that sneaked through to the back of the net, and Barringer scored again during the 59th minute.
A few minutes later, the teams exchanged goals – Western Alamance forward Ashlea Austin scored during the 62nd minute, and Rocky Mount midfielder Ashley Pearsall responded with a rocket off her left foot from 25 yards out during the 65th minute – and the Gryphons stretched the lead to 4-1.
But Western Alamance scored two goals the rest of the way and threatened to tie the match before the officials whistled the last seconds.
A win, yes, but not an easy win.
"I just have to keep on 'em, I can't let up," Sensiba said. "I know they hate me now, but I have to keep 'em motivated, keep 'em up."
Matt LaWell can be reached at 407-9952 or mlawell@coxnc.com
Goals: RMH – Michelle Barringer (2), Kelsey Benson, Ashley Pearsall; WA – Ashlea Austin, Kelsey Zalimeni (2).
Assists: RMH – Pearsall, Marissa Ramey; WA – Zalimeni.
Saves: RMH – Holly Campbell (10); WA – Kori Briscoe (13).
