Defending state 3-A champion Roberson blanked
Smoky Mountain 5-0 Monday in Mountain Athletic Conference soccer
action at Roberson.
There was some good news for the Mustangs (14-8-1, 7-7-1) as
East Henderson upset North Buncombe 2-1.
North fell to 6-8-1, a game behind SM for fifth in the MAC and
the final playoff spot in the state 3-A playoffs.
The Mustangs were scheduled to play Enka at 7 p.m. Wednesday
at Carr Hooper Stadium/Babe Howell Field in the regular season
finale. If SM wins or ties, a playoff spot is assured.
If the Mustangs lose and North Buncombe upsets Tuscola, the
teams would finish tied forcing a playoff game to determine
the fifth spot.
Needing only a tie Wednesday, SM might change its normal strategy.
"We're thinking about that," Brown said. "Enka
put a lot of heat on us the last time we played them. We're
confident with an extra defender and going with one less guy
up top. We certainly want to win, but the best chance of scoring
on them is probably on a set play."
As for the Roberson game, Brown said, "It was no disgrace.
Roberson's been beating teams 9-0. We changed strategy and tried
to play more defensively. We added a stopper and kept the midfielders
back."
The Rams led 2-0 at intermission with both goals coming early
and just over three minutes apart. Caleb Alexander provided
assists on those goals.
Joel Benotski opened the scoring at the 3:02 mark, and Brad
Moody followed at the 6:11 mark.
Roberson went up 3-0 at the 45:06 mark as Rob Hubbard beat a
defender and had an open shot.
The Mustangs were not ready for a free kick at the 49:37 mark
allowing Moody to score from 20 yards out, as they attempted
to set up the wall, making it 4-0.
Todd Byard completed the scoring at the 69:14 mark with an assist
from Andrew Pickens.
"We played with courage and didn't back down." Brown
said.
The Rams controlled play from the start and had a 29-4 advantage
in shots. Bryan Newbold made 13 saves for SM, and Roberson's
Patrick Browne had two.
The Mustang JVs fell to 0-10-1 with an 8-0 loss.
