The Lakewood Leopards boys soccer program made school history this week, claiming their first ever playoff win in program history as they defeated 17th-seed Southside at home 7-2 in Round One of the NCHSAA 1A State Playoffs. The Leopards advanced to the second round where they would go on the road to face the top overall seed Manteo, ultimately falling 5-1 to close out their postseason run.
Round One:
Lakewood 7, Southside 2
Lakewood seized the moment on their own field Tuesday night, earning their first playoff victory in school history.
“I mean, this is big as it gets for us,” said Lakewood head coach Marco Perez. “I do believe according to our school history that’s actually the first victory that we got on a playoff game ever for a soccer team. So it means a lot.”
Perez said the significance was not lost on his team.
“They were really thrilled to have it, get it done, especially at home and the way we did it — came out on top pretty good, didn’t make it too complicated to end the game. So now they know that it is up from here.”
Despite the milestone, Perez said the mindset wasn’t just to celebrate, but to keep going.
“We’re hungry. I’m hungry. Kids are hungry. We’re going against the number one team, Manteo, and I mean we’re going after it. Whatever it takes, we’re going to try to give it all we got and hopefully bring one back.”
He said the group fully embraced the underdog mentality.
“They bleed just like we do. Our best games this season have been against number one seeds. So I think we do good against good teams. We live for it.”
Round Two:
Manteo 5, Lakewood 1
Lakewood made the long trip to Manteo Thursday night and early adversity changed the complexion of the match.
“That early penalty changed the whole face of the game,” Perez pointed out in an interview after the game. “Thirty-second penalty, man, I think that’s what changed a lot of it.”
Even with the setback, Lakewood fought their way back level.
“We still had a little bit of a comeback with about seven to 10 minutes tied up, and we held them tied for a good while. But about three to four minutes before the half ended, they scored another one.”
Injuries mounted, and depth took a toll.
“We were already playing with one less defender because one more got hurt, and we ended up losing three of our starters. When that happens, it really hurts.”
Perez said there was no fear in the group, even facing the No. 1 seed.
“If you would’ve seen us play that first half, that was probably one of the best halves we played. Everybody could feel it at halftime. You could feel that they were a team that could be beaten.”
Perez said despite the final score and exit in the second round, the program took a major step.
“The kids are seeing that the program at Lakewood is not a joke. It’s something to look forward to. My son last night said until they get the trophy, they’re not stopping.”