The Union Spartans hosted the Clinton Dark Horses in a soccer match Wednesday evening. Both teams were undefeated coming into the game. The Dark Horses defeated the Spartans by a score of 3-0.

A majority of first half consisted of the ball going back and forth across the field with neither team finding the net. Union’s goalie was out for most of the game due to reoccurring injuries obtained from their previous game.

Irvin Depaz filled in the goalie position for Union. Spartan, Omar Martinez made the first close attempt for a goal with a kick from mid-field at the 33:23 mark. The Clinton keeper, Gray Sutter, blocked the shot.

Irvin Depaz blocked at kick by Clinton’s Andrew Warren at the 27:58 mark. The control of the ball never stayed with one team long. Many attempts for a goal by both teams were made but none found the net. As the end of the first half was closing in Dark Horse Spell Carr scored the first goal for Clinton off an assist by Zach Darden. The Dark Horses took the 1-0 lead into halftime.

At the start of the second half Irvin Depaz blocked another Dark Horse shot from Ivan Ponce. Union ran the ball down the field where Clinton’s Gray Sutter blocked Arcenio Najera’s attempt for a goal. Clinton would go on to score two more goals. The first scored by a corner kick from Turner Wells who was assisted by Spell Carr. Donald Blue made the last goal of the night with an assist from Ivan Palencia giving the Dark Horses the win 3-0.

Clinton’s head coach Brad Spell commented on his team’s mindset before coming into game and their performance.

“Coming into the game we knew it was going to be tough. Both of the teams were undefeated. We had a good game strategy; we stayed focused, and adapted well to what Union was throwing at us.”

Spell went on to also talk about how Union played and their soccer program this year. “Union played a heck of a game against Wallace Monday and I’m real proud of how far the Union program has come. Coach Ameen has done a great job and they have a long journey ahead of them,” he said.

Union’s head coach David Ameen was still proud of his team, despite the loss.

“I was really proud of how well my guys matched up with Clinton tonight,” he said. “Clinton was just able to capitalize on a few good opportunities inside the 18.”

Coach Ameen still sees the playoffs in his team’s future and continues to be optimistic about the rest of the season. “Even though the score was 3-0 in their favor, I really feel like we played extremely well and our guys stepped up big time,” he continued.

The Dark Horses are now 13-0-1 and will host the West Bladen Knights next Monday. The Union Spartans are 9-1-0 and will travel to take on Pender on Monday also.

By Anna Moore

Sports Writer

Clinton goal keeper, Gray Sutter, fully extends to tip a Spartan shot away from the net diverting one of several Union shots on goal during first half action. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_DSC_2864.jpgClinton goal keeper, Gray Sutter, fully extends to tip a Spartan shot away from the net diverting one of several Union shots on goal during first half action. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.

DSC_3040 – Clinton’s Donald Blue strikes a header that found the back of Union’s goal late in the Dark Horses Wednesday night win over the previously unbeaten Spartans. Blue’s goal came inside the 42nd minute and put the game on ice for the Horses. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_DSC_3040.jpgDSC_3040 – Clinton’s Donald Blue strikes a header that found the back of Union’s goal late in the Dark Horses Wednesday night win over the previously unbeaten Spartans. Blue’s goal came inside the 42nd minute and put the game on ice for the Horses. To view more photos from this match, visit the sports section on atthe18foto.smugmug.com.