By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
John Lohman, Will Davis and Marcos Olivares were hoping for a victory on Senior Night. New Bern spoiled those plans with a 2-1 victory in Wednesday’s Coastal Conference soccer match at J.G. “Choppy” Wagner Stadium.
The Bears (12-5-1, 10-2) took advantage of two open-net goals against the Pam Pack (10-6-1, 7-5). Kozuch said that was the difference.
The Bears took a 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the match when Pack goalie Steven Worsley misjudged a ball, allowing an open-net goal. New Bern’s second goal, coming with 10 minutes to play in the first half, came when Worsley whiffed on the ball while trying to clear it, leaving another open net for the Bears.
The Pack was able to respond after New Bern’s first goal. Jimmy Hardison delivered a terrific thru ball to Bladimir Romero, who zipped the ball past New Bern goalie Logan Kingman for the score.
Washington had other cracks at finding the back of the net. Romero missed out on a couple early chances, while Kingman turned away shots by Lohman, Nick Bundy and Olivares in the second half. Kingman was sensational as the lanky keeper made a handful of diving saves.
After winning five straight, the Pack has now dropped two straight, both coming at the hands of the conference’s 4A schools — J.H. Rose (3-0 loss Monday) and New Bern. Both of those schools will be in a new conference next year.
Kozuch is hoping his team can bounce back next week and earn a couple victories while gathering some momentum heading into the playoffs. Washington wraps up regular season play with road games Monday at Havelock (6-9, 3-8) and Wednesday at West Carteret (5-13, 3-7).
Kozuch is confident his team will land a home game for the playoffs.
Washington (3-2-3) posted a 3-1 win in junior varsity action. Oscar Alvarez scored twice and Bo Bowen had a goal for the Pam Pack.