HPCA soccer falls to Cary Christian
• Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
HIGH POINT — High Point Christian is still trying to figure some things out, particularly defensively, and Cary Christian took advantage.
The Cougars fell behind two goals early, rallied within reach but couldn’t quite catch the Knights in falling 6-2 in nonconference boys soccer Thursday at West End Park.
“We did some good things, but still we’re trying to find ourselves defensively,” HPCA coach Austin Beck said. “We graduated every player who played for us in the back last year, and we’re trying to find the pieces that go there that’ll help defend really well. Right now, we’re just not getting the job done.”
Franklin Cox scored two goals for the Cougars (3-6), who have a mix of younger players who are learning and older players who’ve shifted into new roles in the back. Jackson Davis and Cameron Crumpler each had an assist.
Cary Christian (1-1-1) took the lead with goals in the 15th minute — off an arcing ball upfield — and in the 25th minute — on a low header along the left post. HPCA answered in the 32nd minute to pull within 2-1.
Following a foul along the right side, Davis quickly lofted a pass across to Cox on the left side of the penalty area. But the Knights came right back in the 38th minute on another arcing ball upfield to lead 3-1 into halftime.
“In the end, we’re asking the guys to do their job and do it well whoever steps in,” Beck said of the defense. “We’re trying to find that right combination that helps us defend really well — you know, not allow six goals a game,” he said with a laugh.
“It’s going to take time. It’s going to take time for those guys to get comfortable in new spots. It’s going to take time for us to get used to having some new voices back there. At the end of the day, we’re pouring into our seniors to step up and lead us — and I think they’re doing a good job with that.”
Cary Christian extended its lead with yet another long ball upfield in the 47th minute. But the Cougars came back off a shot by Crumpler that redirected to Cox along the right side in the 61st minute to pull within 4-2.
But Cary Christian tallied two more — one in the 73rd minute and another in the 75th minute. The Cougars had several good opportunities throughout the match — including two shots off the goal frame — but couldn’t quite find the net.
“In the attack throughout this season, we’ve been pretty solid,” Beck said. “We’ve scored goals — most games we’re scoring two and three goals. Today was the first game I felt like we struggled to finish. We were hitting the post, barely missing follow-ups. It just felt different than most of the games.”
Drew Kooistra made seven saves in goal for HPCA, which outshot the Knights 15-14. The Cougars play again Tuesday at Western Guilford — which is coached by Jim Beck, Austin’s dad — before hosting Wesleyan Christian on Friday.
“I think it’ll come together,” Beck said. “With anything, the game’s the best teacher. And I think we’re learning a lot from the real meat of our schedule right now. We’ve played a really tough last five games. We’re going to head into a tough week next week, and then we’ve got conference play after that.”
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
• Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
HIGH POINT — High Point Christian is still trying to figure some things out, particularly defensively, and Cary Christian took advantage.
The Cougars fell behind two goals early, rallied within reach but couldn’t quite catch the Knights in falling 6-2 in nonconference boys soccer Thursday at West End Park.
“We did some good things, but still we’re trying to find ourselves defensively,” HPCA coach Austin Beck said. “We graduated every player who played for us in the back last year, and we’re trying to find the pieces that go there that’ll help defend really well. Right now, we’re just not getting the job done.”
Franklin Cox scored two goals for the Cougars (3-6), who have a mix of younger players who are learning and older players who’ve shifted into new roles in the back. Jackson Davis and Cameron Crumpler each had an assist.
Cary Christian (1-1-1) took the lead with goals in the 15th minute — off an arcing ball upfield — and in the 25th minute — on a low header along the left post. HPCA answered in the 32nd minute to pull within 2-1.
Following a foul along the right side, Davis quickly lofted a pass across to Cox on the left side of the penalty area. But the Knights came right back in the 38th minute on another arcing ball upfield to lead 3-1 into halftime.
“In the end, we’re asking the guys to do their job and do it well whoever steps in,” Beck said of the defense. “We’re trying to find that right combination that helps us defend really well — you know, not allow six goals a game,” he said with a laugh.
“It’s going to take time. It’s going to take time for those guys to get comfortable in new spots. It’s going to take time for us to get used to having some new voices back there. At the end of the day, we’re pouring into our seniors to step up and lead us — and I think they’re doing a good job with that.”
Cary Christian extended its lead with yet another long ball upfield in the 47th minute. But the Cougars came back off a shot by Crumpler that redirected to Cox along the right side in the 61st minute to pull within 4-2.
But Cary Christian tallied two more — one in the 73rd minute and another in the 75th minute. The Cougars had several good opportunities throughout the match — including two shots off the goal frame — but couldn’t quite find the net.
“In the attack throughout this season, we’ve been pretty solid,” Beck said. “We’ve scored goals — most games we’re scoring two and three goals. Today was the first game I felt like we struggled to finish. We were hitting the post, barely missing follow-ups. It just felt different than most of the games.”
Drew Kooistra made seven saves in goal for HPCA, which outshot the Knights 15-14. The Cougars play again Tuesday at Western Guilford — which is coached by Jim Beck, Austin’s dad — before hosting Wesleyan Christian on Friday.
“I think it’ll come together,” Beck said. “With anything, the game’s the best teacher. And I think we’re learning a lot from the real meat of our schedule right now. We’ve played a really tough last five games. We’re going to head into a tough week next week, and then we’ve got conference play after that.”
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
