Conditioned to performing at a fast pace by a demanding early season schedule, the Pinecrest boys’ soccer team breezed by Scotland County 9-0 Monday night.

Eleven different Patriots recorded a goal or an assist, led by Gray Anderson with two goals and an assist, and Kevin Grasso with a goal and two assists. The Pats improved to 3-0 in the Southeastern Conference and 5-4-1 overall with the home win.

Earlier in the evening, Scotland handed the Pinecrest jayvee team its first conference loss since 2006 by the score of 2-1.

The Patriot varsity suffered losses to Cardinal Gibbons (3-2) and Sanderson (1-0) last week in Raleigh, but had no problem maneuvering around, over and through the Scot defense for shots from inside the penalty box.

“We’re moving the ball well and again, I attribute it to a lot of the games we’ve already played this season,” Patriot coach Todd Abbey said. “For a lot of these teams (in conference) we’re the fastest team they’re going to see. We’ve seen a lot faster.”

In spite of the Scots’ efforts to put eight or nine players behind the ball, the Patriots found plenty of space to operate in the attacking third of the field.

In the fourth minute, Grasso was in the penalty box when he slipped a pass through a crowd to Justin Mace for an easy finish. About three minutes later, Mace was inside the box when he connected with Dane Nelsen for the goal that made it 2-0.

The Patriots showed some finesse on their two other first half scores. A clever chip by Taylor Morton was headed for teammate Chris Sanders at the far post, but found its way into the net on its own. With just a minute left in the half, Jimmy Casey sent a ball across the goal mouth that Blaine Little stepped over, allowing Grasso to make the easier finish at the far post.

“It was very individualistic last year when it came to not being able to get through,” Abbey said. “This group does a great job of finding the space and knowing how to pull defenders out. They understand a lot more about breaking down defenses. It’s a tribute to everybody.”

Seven minutes into the second half, Chris Potter put away the rebound off a shot by Little. A cross by Anderson for a header at the far post by Richard Palmer made it 6-0. More inside passing led to a Little goal off a Sander’s assist.

Anderson was the beneficiary of through balls from Grasso and Hayden Little for a pair of late goals that completed the scoring.

Mitchell Dotson and J.T. Stilwell each played a half in goal as the Patriots notched their fifth shutout of the season.

Scotland fell to 1-1 in the conference and 5-5 overall. The Patriots travel to Purnell Swett tonight for a 7 p.m. conference match.

Scotland varsity coach Colin McDavid could not remember the last time the Scot jayvee team defeated Pinecrest. The winning goal was scored by Justin Wheeler with about eight minutes left in the match. Ivan Miron scored for the Patriots.

The Pinecrest boys have not lost a varsity match to Scotland since 1998.

Contact Charlie Bergmann at cbergmann@nc.rr.com.