Senior Night Soccer Shutout

The way the last game ended with Northern Nash and both sides mad at the end, Northern upset because Rocky Mount left the starters in right up to the end and the Gryphons upset by rough physical play by Northern what would we see today?

I was getting out of my car at 32.18 to play in the first half and by the time I took my position on the side line Rocky Mount lead 4-0. No more mystery as Rocky Mount put five goals in the net in the first half and the second team played nearly 18 minutes before the half.

Andrew Morales scored twice, Matt Williams, Dillon Matthews and David Aristabal all score in the first half to take any suspense out of this rival game.

Halftime the five Gryphon seniors were honored as they played their final regular season game before the playoffs. #7 Zach Melvin, #9 Mark Gray, #4 Robert Chamblee, #10 Andrew Morales and# 11 Matt Williams made the walk to mid field to meet with their parents. Since there is no jv soccer program these guys have played varsity soccer for four years and after today have a 71-17 record. To help you with the math that is averaging almost 18 wins and just over four losses per season. There is no way there has ever been a greater senior class than this in Gryphon Soccer history.

This team has played seven straight conference games without giving up a goal and eight out of nine conference games have been shutouts. The only team to score on them beat them Hunt 2-1 eight games ago. Rocky Mount has scored 46 goals in nine conference games while giving up two.

Soccer closes out the regular season Thursday at Fike and they still play under the must win in order to tie for first. Next week is the conference tournament and then the state playoffs in two weeks.

As expected or should I say as hoped Rocky Mount boys and girls finished second in the Big East Conference championships and both teams qualify for the regional.

Nash Central won the boys competition placing six runners in the top ten. Will Bass of Nash Central ran a 15:45 to win the individual title.If you make the top ten you are all conference and Gryphon James Bond finished third running a 17:04. Daniel Hannon finished sixth with a 17:31. Mason Holt who has been out injured the last few weeks responded well trying to get back in shape and ran surprisingly well finished seventh at 17.39.

Nash Central won 25- 45 over Rocky Mount who placed second.

Over in the girls race Fike beat Rocky Mount by a mere five points 33-38 to take home the conference championships.

Kaitlyn Jacob a freshman for the Lady Gryphons finished third running 20:42. Zikeena Parker with a dash at the finish took fourth at 20:43, Nef Thigpen finished seventh giving the Gryphon women three all conference performers.

JV football is at Fike Thursday night and Homecoming is Friday for Varsity.

All in all Today was a good day to be a Gryphon fan!