Clinton traveled to Hobbton on Thursday for a county tussle against the Wildcats. It was a one-sided contest, as the Dark Horses ran away with the match, 7-0.
Ivan Ponce led Clinton with a hat trick, whole Donald Blue, Luke Byrd, Peter Darden, and Olvin Acasta each scored one goal apiece.
Tyler Kersey, Corey Smith, and Peter Darden each had an assist on the day as well.
Gray Sutter had a nice afternoon in the net for the Dark Horses, as he and the CHS defense pitched another shutout. He had 4 saves.
Clinton out-shot Hobbton 10-4 on the day, while the ‘Cats had 4 penalty kicks to Clinton’s 2.
“It was a nice win for us today,” said Clinton’s assistant coach, Jamie Williams. “We were able to play a lot of guys, which is always good, and I thought our execution was really good, especially in the second half.”
Hobbton’s head coach Jonathan Jacobs saw the good that came out of Thursday’s loss.
“I thought we took a step in the right direction. The scoreboard doesn’t say it but I think we made a step in the right direction,” he said. “Clinton has a very good team; one of the top teams in the State of North Carolina.”
Hobbton still has four starters out with injuries, which is slowing down their progress.
“You have to play with what you have,” concluded Jacobs.
The Wildcats will play Monday at James Kenan. Clinton, now 8-0-1, starts conference play on Monday at home against Pender. It is the start of the three game home skid, all of which are scheduled to be played at the Darkness Soccer Complex at CHS nect week.