WINTERVILLE — The Washington soccer team picked up a decisive 6-2-road victory over South Central on Monday to open the 2015 season.

Holding a narrow 2-1 lead at the half, the Pam Pack pressed offensively, scoring four goals through the final 40 minutes. Newcomer Freddy Jimenez finished with four goals, while seniors Kyle Hodges and Dylan Singleton, a defender, scored a goal each.

Washington will host J.H. Rose on Tuesday at Choppy Wagner Stadium.

 

NORTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL DROPS OPENER TO RIVERSIDE

In a rematch of last year’s third round state tournament match, Northside dropped the season opener to Riverside, 3-1.

The Panthers powered their way to a 25-19 win in the first game before dropping the second game, 25-11. Northside kept pace in the third, but lost the game in the final points, 25-23.

Northside will face Riverside on Monday in Pinetown.

 

DANICA PATRICK STAYS WITH SHR; NEW SPONSOR NATURE’S BAKERY

Danica Patrick’s fit and healthy lifestyle has landed her a new sponsor that allows her to stay with Stewart-Haas Racing.

SHR announced a deal Tuesday that makes Nature’s Bakery the primary sponsor of Patrick’s No. 10 Chevrolet beginning next season. The Nevada-based food brand replaces Patrick’s longtime sponsor, GoDaddy. Nature’s Bakery will place its signature tagline, “Energy for Life’s Great Journeys,” on Patrick’s car for 28 of the 38 Sprint Cup events.

“Our brands align so perfectly, it’s amazing,” said Patrick, who admitted she ate a Nature’s Bakery gluten-free fig bar before the announcement at SHR’s race shop in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Company founder Dave Marson said Patrick, one of the most recognizable athletes in the world with crossover appeal in sports and entertainment, fits the Nature’s Bakery brand.

“All you need to say is ‘Danica’ and people know exactly who you’re talking about,” Marson said. “She has immersed herself and succeeded in a very intense sport and been recognized for her efforts.”

Much of Patrick’s marketability was built during a long partnership with GoDaddy that began in 2007. The Internet domain giant — which tweeted its congratulations to Patrick, Stewart-Haas Racing and Nature’s Bakery on the partnership — has been her main backer since the 2010 IndyCar season when she was with Andretti Autosport, and it followed her to NASCAR.

But the company said in April that this third Sprint Cup season with Patrick would be its last in NASCAR, which forced Patrick to worry about funding her racing career for the first time in probably a dozen years.

GoDaddy’s sponsorship agreement was in line with Patrick’s contract with SHR, and both deals ran only through the 2015 season. The loss of funding meant SHR needed a replacement sponsor in order to keep Patrick, who could also have tried to sign with another Cup team.