Staff reportSalisbury’s previously unbeaten boys soccer team lost 3-2 in its CCC opener Monday at West Davidson.
Paul Kollie and Matt Cervantes scored for the Hornets (10-1-1, 0-1). A 3-2 halftime lead held up for the Green Dragons (10-1-2). West and Thomasville (7-0-1) are two of three CCC teams with 1-0 league records.
In front of a spirited crowd of about 400 fans, SHS jumped ahead on Kollie’s goal. West Davidson evened the match 90 seconds later.
“Absolute turning point of the match,” Salisbury coach Tom Sexton said. “They scored off a corner where we got in our own way.”
Cervantes’ goal gave Salisbury a 2-1 edge, and West evened the score after a free kick from 19 yards out.
The blast went into the Hornets’ five-man wall, and the rebound caromed back to the Green Dragon who had struck the free kick. A few defenders turned to the side on the next shot, which keeper Connor Miller was screened from, and West Davidson tied the game.
The Green Dragons went ahead for good on a goal following a throw-in. Miller was again shielded as a shot ticked off the right post.”They really wanted to beat us worse than we wanted to beat them,” Sexton said. “You could see it, smell it, feel it.”
Salisbury returns to action Wednesday at home against Central Davidson.
n Salisbury’s jayvee team tied West Davidson 0-0 in a match shortened by a lightning delay.