Gryphons score two late goals in first-round victory

Rocky Mount High’s soccer team came within 20 minutes of its season being finished Wednesday, but a senior wasn’t ready to turn in his jersey.

Gryphons forward Tim Bishop scored a pair of goals to lead his squad into the second round of the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs after they defeated visiting Pikeville Aycock, 2-1 at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.

“I wasn’t ready to lose tonight,” Bishop said. “We were playing lethargic, but after we got a couple of calls to go our way we woke up.”

The contest remained scoreless for more than 53 minutes before the Golden Falcons seized a lead. Pikeville Aycock’s midfielder Jacob Palma banged in a shot from inside the keeper’s box for the opening score.

Golden Falcons sweeper Patrick Roosen crossed the ball into the box before Palma ripped a shot that clanged off the left post and past Gorham.

“We just had a defensive lapse,” Gryphons coach Drew Nick said. “That was (Pikeville Aycock’s) one opportunity, and they took advantage.”

More than seven minutes passed before Rocky Mount answered the Golden Falcons’ goal. Senior forward Tim Bishop scored the goal on the first of a pair for him in the contest.

Gryphons junior Matt Williams sent a free kick at the goal that ricocheted off the right post and away from the net. Bishop beat a pair of Pikeville Aycock defenders to the ball and toed it in.

Bishop scored again off a free kick little more than eight minutes later. The Gryphons played the free kick to Williams, who crossed a pass into the box that Bishop boomed into the top left corner of the net.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” Bishop said. “We had been hanging our heads and kind of walking around. After the first goal, we started to play more like ourselves. We just continued to play physical and pulled out the win.”

Rocky Mount will play host to Washington on Saturday in the second round of the playoffs. The time of the event has not been determined.

Rocky Mount High 2

Pikeville Aycock 1

Goals: RMH — Tim Bishop (2); PA — Jacob Palma

Assists: RMH — Matt Williams (1)

Shots: RMH — 14; PA — 10

Saves: RMH — Drew Gorham (6); PA — Brandon Davis (7)