Although they got off to a sluggish start against Pender Wednesday night, Lakewood’s boys caught fire in the second half and blazed a trail in Patriot territory, sweeping the home team 6-0.

“It didn’t look like we were going to have a good night at the beginning of the game,” admitted coach Jay Faircloth. “We had 8 shots on goal and couldn’t find the back of the net. I was thinking ‘guys, what’s going on?’”

Then the Leopards hit pay dirt and, minutes later, scored another, going into the half up 2-0.

“I talked to them at the break,” Faircloth said, “and reminded them of what they can do. Then we went out for the second half and, man, they went insane.”

Faircloth said the Leopards didn’t do anything differently in their play, but they were holding the Patriots on defense and finding the net time after time on offense.

“Our defense was untouchable in the second half. They weren’t letting anything passed. But I’d have to say our offense was just as strong. They were just on fire.”

Faircloth said it was a good victory, a momentum-builder as the boys begin preparation for their game against county rival Union Monday.

“We’ve got to be ready for them,” he stressed.

Scoring goals Wednesday night were Joseph Williams-Piota who had a hat trick and an assist; Sadi Zabala who made 2 goals; and Lucas Dudley who scored once, a corner kick passed in by Zabala.

Lakewood hosts Union Monday in a 5 p.m. game, the first of three home games for the Leopards.