Staff Reports

EAST BEND -- Forbush likely sealed up its second straight Mountain Valley 2A girls soccer championship Thursday night, beating Wilkes Central 3-1 at home.

The Falcons (14-3-1 overall, 9-0-0 conference) moved in front of Wilkes Central (7-4-2, 7-2-0) by two full games with three games on its schedule. The rest of Forbush's games come against teams with losing records.

Wilkes Central struck first Thursday. Sabrina Ashley got loose behind the Falcons defense on a breakaway 14 minutes into the match. Her rifle shot from the right side went to the far post, past keeper Kayla Adams.

But it wouldn't take long for Forbush to get that goal back. Jessica Baity was taken down inside the penalty box four minutes later and converted a PK shot to make it a 1-1 game.

The Falcons took a 2-1 lead into halftime after a header goal by Katelynd Caudle at the 35:12 mark. The ball was crossed into the middle of the field, and Caudle's header was a rainbow that sailed high into the back of the net.

Baity scored again early in the second half for the final margin.

The Falcons outshot Wilkes Central 12-4. Adams made three saves.

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Forbush’s quick-strike soccer offense struck again, and the Falcons quickly buried both North Surry and Surry Central in recent action.

The Falcons’ 8-0 win at North Surry on Tuesday featured five goals in the first nine minutes. Forbush notched three goals in the first nine minutes in a 6-1 win over Surry Central last Thursday.

Tara Baity scored in the opening minute against North Surry, assisted by Whitney Matthews. Jessica Baity then fed Lindsey Lineberry for a goal a minute after that.

Jessica Baity scored twice more and Lineberry added another score for the quick 5-0 advantage. Vanessa Mendoza made it a 6-0 in the 14th minute. Krystle Matthews and Heather Lindsey both added goals in the second half for the final margin.

Seven of Forbush’s goals were assisted. Jessica Baity and Whitney Matthews each had two assists. Lineberry, Katelynd Caudle and Tara Baity provided the other dishes.

Forbush was precise, scoring eight times on just 22 shots. Kayla Adams had one save in the Falcon net.

Against Surry Central, Jessica Baity scored in the game’s first three minutes. Leticia Patino then added a goal two minutes later, and Jessica Baity filled up the back of the net four minutes after that.

The Falcons scored their last three goals within a 12-minute span of the second half. Jessica Baity picked up a hat trick at the 62-minute mark. Bailey Stinson and Jessica Tucker had the other scores.

Five of the six goals were unassisted. Patino assisted Baity’s second goal.

Surry Central broke into the scoring column two minutes into the second half on a goal by Angelica Gonzalez.

The wins over Surry County competition moved Forbush to 13-3-1 overall and 8-0 in the Mountain Valley 2A Conference.

The Falcons play their biggest conference game to date tonight (Thursday) against visiting Wilkes Central. The Eagles have only lost once in conference, to Forbush on March 20.

A win by the Falcons would likely be enough to lock up a second straight conference championship. Forbush is set to visit Ashe County on Friday, then will finish the regular season with games at home against North Wilkes (May 5) and at Starmount (May 7) next week.


STARMOUNT 8, NORTH WILKES 3: The Rams avenged an early 1-0 loss to the Vikings in a big way Tuesday night.

North Wilkes scored first, three minutes into the game. It took Starmount until the 15-minute mark to get the tying goal, but then the flood gates opened.

Janet Hernandez, Maricela Morales and Brianna Daye each scored twice for the Lady Rams. Savannah Anthony and Kelsey Randleman notched one goal apiece. North Wilkes goals were scored by Alex Moore, Krysten Miller and Brianna Baity.

Starmount outshot the Vikes 35-9. Allison Walker recorded three saves for the Rams.

“The Lady Rams were wanting to get this game from North Wilkes to even the series this year,” Starmount coach Jered Markman said. “They communicated very well and passing was the key. I was afraid that they would put their heads down after the first goal.

“Caitlin Norman did a great job on defense. Nikki Anthony held the Rams together in the middle of the field. Janet Hernandez was very dominate in the forward position.”

Starmount will visit Wilkes Central on Friday night.


STARMOUNT 6, NORTH SURRY 1: Maricela Morales scored four goals for the Rams in Thursday‘s Mountain Valley 2A showdown. Savannah Anthony provided two of the assists.

Janet Hernandez and Rebecca Eckerd scored the other two goals for the Rams. Allison Walker held North Surry to just one score on the night.

“They did a wonderful job,” Starmount coach Jered Markman said. “They put all of the pieces together and it showed. They were communicating very well with each other the entire night. The Lady Rams came out in the first fifteen minutes and scored two goals. At halftime the score was 4-1.”

Starmount’s JV team beat Central Davidson 6-0 on Thursday and Davie County 4-2 on Friday. The Starmount-Davie varsity game was cancelled due to storms in the area Friday evening.