The Clinton Dark Horses capped off a busy week with a pair of decisive victories that showcased both their depth and discipline. Head coach Brad Spell said his team continues to adapt and execute, even as opponents tighten defensively in hopes of slowing down one of the hottest squads in the region.
Earlier in the week, Clinton topped Southwest Onslow 3-0 in a match that required patience and poise.
“Well, it’s not easy,” Spell said. “Anytime you play a conference game, they’re going to have some kind of wrinkle to get you out of balance and keep you on your toes. We knew coming in they were going to play a strong defensive game, and that’s what they did.”
Southwest Onslow parked the defense deep, forcing the Dark Horses to be creative in the final third.
“They played a defensive-minded game against us, and most of the teams in our conference have so far,” Spell said. “They’re trying to give themselves a chance because we move the ball extremely well. Their game plan worked — it was difficult for us to score goals — but once we got that second one, we were pretty much in control.”
Clinton’s composure paid off as the team found its rhythm late and sealed the 3-0 win, maintaining their top form as the postseason nears.
On Wednesday, Clinton returned home to face Pender, earning an emphatic 6-2 victory.
“Pender played extremely physical against us,” Spell said. “There was a lot of contact — not dirty, just tough. They dropped a lot of men back, and we had to find open holes to get good shots off. We got up 5-0, made some substitutions to get everyone some playing time, and the game ended 6-2.”
The win pushed Clinton’s overall record to 16-2 and extended their winning streak to six.
While there’s no conference tournament for soccer, Clinton currently projects as a No. 2 seed heading into the state playoffs.
“As of right now, with a couple of weeks to go, we’re sitting at the two-seed,” Spell said. “If we keep playing well, that should give us home field for the first few rounds, knock on wood.”
Beyond team success, the week brought a personal milestone for Spell’s family. His son, Holden Spell, broke Clinton High School’s all-time career goals record during Wednesday’s win, setting a new mark with 69 goals.
“I’m proud of him,” Coach Spell said. “It’s tough coaching your son — you love it, but you also have to push him harder than anyone else. You don’t want people thinking it’s favoritism. But he’s done really well, and breaking the career goals record last night was a special moment.”
Clinton kept its momentum rolling Thursday night, earning a 4-1 victory over Pine Forest to close out the week. The non-conference win marked the team’s seventh straight victory and lifted their record to 17-2.
According to MaxPreps, the Dark Horses showcased balanced scoring in the effort, with Chris Zelaya, Edgar Caldera, Holden Spell, and Emilson Marcia each contributing a goal. Clinton finished with 4 goals, 4 assists, and 12 total points in the match, demonstrating the same unselfish ball movement that has defined their season.
The defense continued its steady play, limiting Pine Forest to just one goal while maintaining pressure in the midfield throughout. With the win, Clinton’s consistency on both sides of the field has become the story of the season — a group that plays with chemistry, trust, and a shared purpose.
The victory also reinforces Clinton’s reputation as a contender heading into postseason play. “We just have to stay patient and disciplined,” Spell said earlier in the week. “When we move the ball and play our game, we’re tough to beat.”
Next up, Clinton will turn its attention to the final stretch of the regular season facing South Lenoir at home, aiming to secure a strong playoff position and continue building on what has already been one of the program’s most impressive runs in recent memory.