Geared towards a second place finish in the highly competitive 2A East Central Conference, the Clinton Dark Horses bucked their way to a 9-0 finish over South Lenior Monday.

“This is the hardest 2A conference in the state,” said assistant coach Jamie Williams. “When you look at the rankings, other teams have good records but don’t play anyone. It’s good for us, though; the top five teams have been battling it out, and at one point four teams were tied for second.”

With the top four finishers for the conference looking to be Swansboro, Clinton, East Duplin and Croatan, Williams said a second place finish is not set in stone, yet.

“If we go to Swansboro Wednesday and take care of business, then it’s a wrap (second place). But, if both Richlands and Swansboro win, then we automatically get second place. So, we can either do it with help or take care of business ourselves,” Williams revealed.

And speaking of taking care of business, the Dark Horses certainly took care of business on their home turf Monday, shutting out South Lenior 9-0, which trails the team’s prior win against them by one.

On the field Monday, Hector Acosta would take charge early in the game, knocking one in at the 4th minute. Luis Prado would follow with a goal at the 15th minute after Juan Alverado laid the ball in scoring position.

At the 26th minute, Hector Regaldo would put one in the back of the net, bringing the Dark Horses up 3-0.

Again at the 35th minute, Prado would penetrate the net with Zachary Valenti assisting in the shot.

Carlos Villela would score off an assist from Jeb Dillman to end the first half with a 5-0 lead over South Lenior.

In the second half, Juan Alvarado scored at the 47th and the 66th minute, bringing Clinton up 7-0.

Regaldo would soon take the title of leading scorer, above Field Palmer and Jose Gallegos, both with 17, after making his second goal of the night, and 18th goal of the season, at the 68th minute mark.

Dillman ended the match 9-0 at the 70th minute with the final score of the night.

Tevin Boykin and Colin Faulkner, who was brought up from JV, shared the spot in the net Monday, with one save apiece, Williams provided.

If the Dark Horses continue to advance their record, which now stands 9-3-1 in the conference and 17-4-1 overall, a second place finish looks promising. And with a second place finish, they will host the first round of the playoffs, which is a Clinton men’s soccer first.