Tripp Selph has four goals in two games, including three Friday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity boys soccer team got its season started with a 3-3 tie against visiting Northwood Temple in the rain on Thursday before winning the first Mid-Carolina Conference match in school history, 5-2, at home against Cresset Christian on Friday.
“The match against Northwood was one for the books,” said CFCA coach Michael Breslin. “It was an incredibly entertaining game. Northwood took an early 1-0 lead and then we evened the score with an unassisted goal by Will Hobbs.
“We took a 2-1 lead into the half after Caden Scarborough scored from the right side of the 18 yard box with an assist by Jackson Breslin. Northwood tied it early in the second half and both teams moved the ball in the midfield looking for an advantage. With 15 minutes left, Tripp Selph surprised the Northwood goalkeeper and curled a corner kick in for the go-ahead goal, putting us up 3-2.
“Northwood kept trying to equalize, and we kept holding them off. Unfortunately, Northwood tied it at 3 in the last minute.
“While it was disappointing to not beat our rival, I am so incredibly proud of how the guys played. We’ve spent a lot of time working on using the entire length and width of the field to move the ball. I’ve stressed the need for communication and we’ve worked on passing the ball and building the attack rather than just kicking it away. The guys played very good soccer, doing all the things we’ve worked on.”
CFCA faced deficits of 1-0 and 2-1 on Friday as Selph had three goals.
“We had plenty of opportunities, but failed to convert due to either shots being off frame, or nice saves made by their keeper,” Coach Breslin said. “In the first half, we tied at one on a goal by Tripp Selph from a very nice ball played up by Patrick Raynor.
“Cresset went into the half with a 2-1 lead after they converted a penalty kick. … During the half, assistant coach Ricky Scarborough and I reminded the guys to remain calm and to play our game. We challenged them to play the way we had the previous day against Northwood in which we moved the ball well and used the entire field to build our attacks.
“There was a palpable difference in the second half as our guys came out to play. Caden Scarborough tied it at 2-2 after he looped a high arc shot, taking advantage of the size of the Cresset keeper. After that, we never looked back. Will Hobbs played a ball to Tripp Selph and we took a 3-2 lead.
“Our fourth goal came from Caden Scarborough who had a virtual repeat of his earlier goal. Tripp Selph completed a hat trick with an unassisted goal, giving us a 5-2 victory.”
CFCA is scheduled to host Fayetteville Christian on Monday at 4 p.m.
“We have spent a lot of time working on playing as a team,” Coach Breslin said. “I’ve been emphasizing the importance of not being afraid to pull the ball back and play drop passes back to our defenders if necessary to open up the field. I think we have a very solid team and am looking forward to seeing how they grow as a unit.”
Coach Michael Breslin (gold shirt) talks to the CFCA team on Thursday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Will Hobbs had the first goal of the season for CFCA.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
First-year CFCA player Caden Scarborough has boosted CFCA’s offense.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Senior Trevor McLamb sends the ball forward for CFCA on Thursday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Caden Scarborough moves into a kick as Jackson Breslin looks on.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Midfielder Brandon Surles (left) seeks to gain possession for CFCA.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
