Wildcats race past Carolina Friends 7-0

HIGH POINT — Westchester Country Day wanted to keep a good thing going — especially against a team it had a little history against.

The Wildcats scored five first-half goals, peppered the goal with chances throughout both halves and rolled past Carolina Friends 7-0 in nonconference boys soccer on a picture-perfect Tuesday evening at Westchester’s Kennedy Field.

“Overall, it was solid,” said Westchester coach Adam Schwartz, who is entering his 25th season of coaching. “It was a little bit of payback — they knocked us out of the state tournament two years ago, and we hadn’t played them since. So, I think those freshmen and sophomores wanted to win.”

Beck Wilson scored three goals to lead the Wildcats (2-0), who were upset by Carolina Friends in the third round of the NCISAA 2A playoffs two years ago. Zayne Williamson added two goals while Kaya Camdere and Elliott Smith each had one.

Coleman Schwartz had two assists, while Daniel Volynets, Chase Hesling, Brooks Covington and Harriss Covington each had one assist as Westchester controlled much of the match, scoring flurries of goals during a couple key stretches to gain the clear advantage.

“I think we really just remembered two years ago how we lost in the states,” Harriss Covington said.

“We just wanted to get back at them,” Volynets said.

The Wildcats, who reached the quarterfinals last year, scored in the 16th minute on a long ball ahead to Wilson. He added another 78 seconds later, stepping and finishing on a ball up the left side. Camdere followed in the in the 24th minute off a centering pass through the penalty area.

Williamson scored in the 32nd minute, finishing off a short pass in from the left end line. And Wilson added his third score 23 seconds later, heading home a pass to the middle. Williamson had a second-half score in the 52nd minute off a rebound, and Smith scored in the 61st minute after intercepting a short free kick.

“Once we scored one goal, we scored another and it kept going,” Volynets said.

“It was just good to get everyone involved,” Harriss Covington said.

Nolan Patterson and Preston Kendrick split time in goal in earning the shutout. Westchester will host University Christian on Friday.

“Our conference is the hardest in America,” Coach Schwartz said. “There are so many teams that could win a state championship. So, if we win these 2A games, we’re setting ourselves up for success in the state tournament. So, we can’t slip up.

“In 3A games, 4A games — we get better, but it doesn’t really affect us other than our strength of schedule. But these games we have to win. I like our mentality going into it. I can sense they understand that, because we have eight seniors.”