Fighting Scots soccer downed by Lee County on senior night

Oct. 17—LAURINBURG — Despite a challenging season, the Scotland men’s soccer team displayed resilience and determination during their senior night matchup against the Lee County Yellow Jackets. The game ended with a final score of 9-0 in favor of Lee County, but Scotland head coach Orrick McDougald praised his players for their aggressive play and solid start.

“We had an awesome first 10 minutes,” McDougald commented. “We had Lee County frustrated. However, we fell apart at some point, and it’s still a mystery as to why. Nevertheless, it was one of our better games against Lee County. They are an exceptional team.”

Despite allowing all nine goals, senior goalkeeper Jack Herr made several crucial saves throughout the game. McDougald defended Herr, stating that many of the goals were the result of defensive lapses rather than Herr’s performance.

Lee County scored their first goal in the 13th minute, followed by additional goals in the 23rd, 27th, and 30th minutes. In the 37th minute, Lee County’s forward Christian Ochoa sealed the game with a seven-minute hat trick, bringing the score to 9-0.

Scotland’s midfielder Ciro Velasco had two shots on goal, but the team couldn’t find the back of the net. Prior to the game, Scotland honored their six seniors with an on-field ceremony. McDougald expressed his pride in their character and dedication to both soccer and other extracurricular activities.

Reflecting on their last home game, Herr shared his favorite memory of saving a penalty kick during his freshman year, while Williams cherished the camaraderie and bond formed with his teammates. McDougald encouraged the team to give their all in their upcoming match against rival Richmond.

In other sports news, the No. 3-seeded Scotland volleyball team secured a 3-1 victory against the No. 6 Southern Lee Cavaliers in the first round of the Sandhills Athletic Conference volleyball tournament. The Lady Scots displayed exceptional performances from Addison Johnson, Reagan Malpass, Madison Dixon, and Lindsay Locklear. The team will face No. 2 Union Pines in their next match, aiming to build on their impressive season.