Even though the Dark Horses have dropped to a third place finish in the 2A conference, they accomplished feats this season much greater than a rank.

“Because of this loss and East Duplin’s win versus Croatan, we’ll end up third in the conference with a 9-4-1 record, ” assistant coach Jamie Williams shared following the game.

“Our overall record is 17-5-1. That’s the most conference wins we’ve ever had. We had seven last year and nine this year.”

According to Williams, along with an improved conference record, the Dark Horse varsity team has improved overall as well with 17 wins this year, prior to the playoffs, compared to last year’s 15 after the playoffs.

As for Wednesday’s upsetting 4-0 loss to Swansboro, Williams reported the half time score as 3-0 with the final score coming in the last 10 minutes of play.

“It was a much closer game than the score showed,” he said. “Our guys played very well tonight controlling the play in all areas of the field; their speed up front got us tonight,” Williams revealed.

Because of their speed up front, Swansboro was able to execute double the shots taken on goal keeper Blake Ellis, who had four saves Wednesday.

“Our next match will be round one of the state playoffs next Wednesday, on the road against a team to be announced,” Williams reported.

As for JV, they had a first time win over Swansboro; the score 1-0, with Will Pearson behind the goal.

The JV team has finished second in the conference with a record of 10-1-3, which Williams said, was excellent for a first year program.

Jessica Wagner can be contacted at (910) 592-8137 ext.122 or reached by e-mail at siphoto@intrstar.net