The North Moore Lady Mustang soccer team rebounded from a tough week before the break by defeating Albemarle 3-1 at home on Monday.

North Moore’s offense started off well as Maria Urquiza took a shot on goal that went wide eight minutes in. Less than a minute later, North Moore’s Jani Davis passed the ball over the Bulldog defense and gave Jamie Garner a breakaway scoring chance. The Albemarle defenders closed in and kicked it into the net for an own-goal to put North Moore up 1-0.

Midway through the half, Urquiza stole the ball from the Albemarle defenders and put a shot just past the goalkeeper to put the Mustangs up 2-0.

Off the returning kickoff, Albemarle went on the offensive and put a shot on goal that nearly scored but it was saved by North Moore goalie Dara Forrest.

Late in the first half senior defender Paige Garner cleared the ball past the Albemarle defense, which set up a near goal for Ester Pascal.

The Mustang defense was essential in setting up the offense for many scoring opportunities throughout the game.

North Moore attempted to put another score on the board before halftime as Laura Lambert took a pass from Jamie Garner, but her shot went wide and the Mustangs took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

Right out of the gate in the second half Albemarle came out playing aggressively, looking to cut into the N.M. lead.

Paige McConlogue received a pass off a throw in for Albemarle 35 yards from the goal and took a shot that went on the backside of the net putting the Bulldogs one score away from tying the game.

After going back and forth attacking the opposing goal, North Moore would be the next to strike midway through the half as Jamie Garner headed a corner kick from fellow senior Leslie Castrejon into the goal, putting the lead back to two.

Albemarle was unable to put many shots on goal after that and the game ended with North Moore earning a conference win 3-1.

Coach James Horwath felt his team responded well from the tough week they had had two weeks ago.

“Overall we played a lot better tonight,” he said, adding, “we showed a lot better effort tonight than we did two weeks ago.”

North Moore (4-3-1) plays at West Montgomery tonight.

Jonathan Bym is a senior at North Moore High School.