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Pinecrest Advances to State Semifinals

The Pinecrest boys' soccer team beat Harnett Central 2-0 Saturday to punch its ticket to to the 4A state semifinals for the second year in a row. It will face Jordan in Durham on Wednesday. Photos by Philip Taylor.

Pinecrest gutted out a 2-0 playoff victory in grinding fashion against Harnett Central Saturday night in the NCHSAA 4A state soccer quarterfinals at John Williams Athletic Complex.

With the victory, the Patriots (19-5-2) return to the state semifinal round for the second straight season.

In an markedly physical match, Dane Nelsen again came through in a major way for the Pats by scoring the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute of the tilt.

A year after making the goal that sent Pinecrest soccer to its first 4A final four in school history, Gray Anderson put this year’s sectional playoff contest out of reach with just under four minutes remaining in regulation.

After controlling a precise pass played up field by Patrick White, Anderson blistered a bullet from distance into the back of the net.

Junior keeper Mitchell Dotson delivered a dazzling display, coming up with three key stops in the final eight minutes of action. On the night he finished with seven saves.

Harnett Central finished its season at 19-4-1.

Pinecrest now travels to Durham to face Jordan (23-0) in the 4A eastern regional championship Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Jordan is the top seed out of the PAC-6 conference and is ranked second in the NCHSCA 4A poll. The Patriots, the SEC top seed, are ranked 10th in the same poll.