Leesville Road boys soccer
Leesville Road senior Bo Burns (left, No. 9) and Wakefield senior Street Johnson (right) have their respective squads surging following impressive matches earlier this week.
Pride, Wolverines face off
on pitch Wednesday
Although Wednesday night's Sanderson and Millbrook soccer team's match will receive plenty of attention — and justifiably so — it could be argued Leesville Road's home match against Wakefield today features the most intriguing match-up.
Both the Pride and Wolverines have endured humbling stretches this year — Leesville lost five of its first six overall games; Wakefield faltered in five of its first conference matches. But entering tonight's contest, they are both riding notably turnarounds.
The Pride is unbeaten in its last three Cap-7 Conference challenges, including an impressive 1-1 tie with first-place Broughton Monday.
Likewise, the Wolverines jumpstarted its second half of league play with a tie against Sanderson last week, and a thrilling 5-4 victory over Millbrook two days ago.
At 2-5-1 in league action, Wakefield has plenty of work to climb into playoff contention, but the Pride seemingly control its own destiny, holding down third place at 4-3-1.
Leesville coach Chip Stone credits his squad's turnaround on its ability to reduce self-inflicted wounds.
"We have cut down on our mistakes, especially on defense," the coach said.
To begin the season, the Pride's defense was unsettled, but its players and the squad's scheme seem to be gelling.
What stood out biggest to Stone about his team's tie against Broughton was the fact the Capitals struck first.
With less than a minute remaining before halftime, forward Bjorn Johnsen tallied the Caps' goal.
But Leesville applied pressure in the second half, and senior Ryan Fleming came through with a tying score midway through the final half.
"It was a good game, and we had some good chances — some breakaways," Stone said. "In fact, we had three breakaways. One we scored on. Another their keeper made a great save. And we also grazed the post on the third.
"Coming back is hard to do in the league. You don't see a lot of teams do that because the teams are so good here. But we have done it three times this year."
While the defense has solidified, and the offense continues to thrive — Leesville scored five goals in a win over Wake Forest-Rolesville Oct. 1 — Stone reasoned its not that the Pride have gotten better, rather "this is where we are supposed to be playing."
With Wakefield surging entering Wednesday's match, Stone expressed little shock in the Wolverines late-season push.
"They are one of the most talented teams we've played, so I'm not surprised a bit," he said. "We are looking forward to the match."
The match kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Leesville Road.
