Gryphons continue playoffs run

Rocky Mount High’s soccer team made the most of six minutes in its second round match of the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs.

The Gryphons took advantage of goals in the opening three minutes of both halves Saturday to defeat visiting Washington, 3-1, and advance to the third round of the playoffs.

“We told the kids that we have to play with energy from the start,” Rocky Mount coach Drew Nick said. “The first 10 minutes of the game are crucial. Netting the ball early can really go a long way toward deflating a team.”

The Gryphons opened scoring in the third minute thanks to a put back goal by sophomore Lee McAvoy.

Rocky Mount forward Justin Marsigli ripped a shot at the goal that ricocheted off the right post and past the Pam Pack’s outstretched goal keeper Steven Worsley. McAvoy tapped the ball into the net after Worsley wasn’t able to recover from his diving effort.

Washington knotted the contest just before the half compliments of an assisted goal by its captain Vladimir Romero. Pam Pack forward Oscar Ortiz split a pair of Gryphons defenders with a pass to Romero, who hooked a shot across the net that pelted off the right post and past keeper Drew Gorham.

Rocky Mount regained the advantage just 90 seconds into the second half on another putback off a Marsigli miss. Marsigli drilled a shot directly at the Washington keeper that was blocked, but senior Tim Bishop leaped and used his hip to net the goal.

“We had a lot more opportunities then (Washington) did today,” Gryphons midfielder Andrew Morales said. “We did a great job of making today all about working together and using one another to get the job done.”

Morales put the contest out of reach in the 74th minute with a goal from just outside the keeper’s box. The junior set up 2 yards outside the box and sailed a shot into the top left corner of the goal.

Rocky Mount awaits the winner of the second-round match between Jacksonville Northside and Eastern Wayne.

“We certainly have to play at our top level moving ahead,” Nick said. “We have to let some of the frustration go and put an entire game together.”

Rocky Mount High 3

Washington 1

Goals: RMH — Lee McAvoy, Tim Bishop, Andrew Morales; W — Vladimir Romero

Assists: W — Oscar Ortiz

Shots: RMH — 19; W — 14

Saves: RMH — Drew Gorham (6); W — Steven Worsley (8)

Prep Sports