The Chapel Hill men’s soccer team prevailed in the third round of the state playoffs with a dominant 5-1 victory over Swansboro High School on Thursday, November 8.
The Tigers took the lead seven minutes into the game when senior Kevin Morales volleyed a corner kick into the back of the net.
“Cobi [Promislow] crossed it in, and I just saw it coming,” Morales said. “I composed myself and one-timed it into the bottom left corner.”
Chapel Hill extended its advantage going into halftime when senior Tom Morioka struck the ball past the goalkeeper after a soft finesse pass from Promislow.
Chapel Hill led 2-0 at the halftime break.
Five minutes into the second half, senior Max Ring crossed the ball to the far post, and Morioka headed it in for his second goal of the game.
Less than ten minutes later, Tiger sophomore Tha Lwe was fouled in the box, and Ring capitalized on the opportunity when he netted a penalty kick, extending the lead to 4-0.
Chapel Hill sophomore Bryant Davis added a goal with eight minutes left to put the game out of reach.
Chapel Hill Head Coach Jason Curtis was happy with the team’s aggressiveness and execution. “We always create chances,” Curtis said. “When we are knocking the ball around like we were doing tonight and finishing the chances, we are tough to beat.”
Swansboro made the score 5-1 when they scored a goal with just over five minutes left in the contest.
“It’s a fun group to watch,” Curtis added. “The technical ability that we have, the way that we keep the ball and pass–it’s all fantastic and a pleasure to watch.”
With the victory, the 12-seeded Tigers will travel to New Hanover High School on Saturday for the opportunity to punch a spot to the final four.
Chapel Hill already played New Hanover earlier this year, defeating the number-one seeded Wildcats 2-0 in the third game of the season.
