The Pinecrest girls (8-4-1) are expecting to face a highly motivated Terry Sanford soccer team (9-2) in tonight’s 7 p.m. home match.

The Patriots handed the Bulldogs their only two losses last season, including a 2-1 defeat in the third round of the state playoffs. On Saturday, coach Todd Abbey’s squad travels to Wilson for the annual Brittany Showcase event. They have a 1:50 p.m. date with Jacksonville (12-1), the No. 2 ranked team in 3A.

Wednesday evening in Lumberton, the Patriots shook off a 13-day break from games by defeating the Pirates 6-0, improving to 5-0 in the Southeastern Conference.

“We played good soccer; it was good to watch,” Abbey said. “We had quality goals across the board.”

Kristen Phelps opened the scoring with the first of her two goals off a pass from Lauren Corrigan in the 17th minute. A penalty kick by Keegan Cary made it 2-0 at the intermission.

Phelps, Corrigan, Kara Sheerin and Michelle Lynch scored in the second half. Kelly Palmer, Corrigan and Lynch contributed assists.

Abbey credited goalkeeper Sarah Dejak with a number of nice saves as the Patriots recorded their fourth shutout in a row and seventh of the season.

“Lumberton played well, but when they got the ball into our end they just couldn’t get it in,” Abbey said.

U.P. Soccer Unbeaten in League, Too

The Union Pines girls’ soccer team slipped past Overhills 1-0 in a Cape Fear Valley Conference match Wednesday in Cameron.

Despite having several quality scoring chances and taking 13 shots, the Lady Vikes were unable to get a ball to go into the goal. The visiting Jaguars (4-7, 2-5 CFVC) held Union Pines scoreless through the opening 60 minutes of the contest.

Ultimately, a penalty kick by Madi Kramer would prove to be the deciding factor. Kramer was able to connect on the PK, burying the ball in the lower left portion of the net to give the Vikes a 1-0 lead in the 61st minute. It was the sophomore’s 13th goal of the season as she leads Union Pines in scoring.

With the victory, the Lady Vikings ran their current win streak to 10 matches as they improved to 10-1 on the season and remained alone in first place atop the CFVC standings with a record of 7-0.

Union Pines returns to its home pitch at Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium Monday, as the Vikings host league foe Gray’s Creek at 7 p.m.

Mustang Kickers Win Again

Tenth-ranked North Moore traveled to take on West Montgomery in Yadkin Valley Conference action Wednesday night.

The Mustangs started the game quickly, dominating possession and scoring opportunities.

Five minutes into the ­contest, an Ester Pascaul cross from the deep right found Jamie Garner, who flicked the ball into the far left side of the net for the first goal.

One minute later, Myra Lopez sent a through ball to Maria Urquiza, who slotted it into the far right corner for a quick 2-0 lead. The game settled down some after that with the Mustangs pressing and threatening but not having too many threatening shots.

With 14 minutes left, Leslie Castrejon ­blasted a shot from 35 yards the found the upper part of the net.

Ten minutes later, Ester Pascaul found the net herself from 20 yards.

The second half was a repeat of the first. The Mustangs continued to work the ball into scoring positions, threatening to increase the lead.

Halfway through the second period, Castrejon struck from outside the box. The scoring ended with 12 minutes left when a Castrejon free kick struck the left post and was immediately blasted through the back of the net by an incoming Jamie Garner.

“Everything was a total improvement,” coach James Horwath said. “Yesterday the team was a threat in the air, from distance, on through balls, and on set pieces. Even shots that didn’t go in easily could have. There was quality everywhere on offense. The defense limited West Montgomery to one serious threat the entire game with excellent coverage and balance.”

The Mustangs improved to 5-2-1 in Conference play and 5-3-1 overall. North Moore travels to South Stanly Friday and hosts fifth-ranked East Montgomery Monday in a huge match.

O’Neal Tennis Falls to FA

The O’Neal School tennis team traveled to Fayetteville Academy and dropped a Conference match 6-3.

The singles matches set up what looked to be a very interesting tennis match as each team took three.

Winston Pantelakos (FA) defeated Matthew Friesen 6-2, 6-2 and Bryce Baldelli (ON) defeated Luke Godwin 7-5, 6-2.

Evan Davies (ON) had a very exciting match, winning the first set 7-6 (3) in a tiebreaker, then dropping the second set 4-6 and going on to win the third set tiebreaker 10-8.

Wesley Pantelakos (FA) defeated Stephen Coppola 6-1, 6-1. Alex Averbook (ON) also had a very close match, defeating Kevin Esensoy 6-1, 0-6, 10-4 in the third set tiebreaker.

Scott Karan (ON) lost at No. 6 to Grayden Prince 7-5, 6-0.

But the doubles was all Fayetteville Accademy as Winston Pantelakos and Godwin defeated Friesen and Baldelli 8-1; Collie and Wesley Pantelakos defeated Davies and Chinchu Singh 8-0; and Esensoy and Ainolhay defeated Averbook and Thomas Griffin 8-5.

In exhibition matches, Michael Ziang (FA) defeated Pedro Puelles 8-4 and Ziang and Steward (FA) defeated Dylan Gehle and Seth Edmonds 8-3.

O’Neal dropped to 2-2 (1-1 in CFIC) while Fayetteville improved to 4-3 (2-0).

Eagles Top Falcon Nine

The O’Neal baseball team fell to the Eagles of Fayetteville Academy in a conference contest Tuesday.

Junior Jordan Hunt mixed his pitches well and gave up only two earned runs in five innings, but was the victim of early inning defensive jitters due to a wet field and windy day.

The visiting Falcons left the bases loaded in each of the first four innings and eventually lost 8-2. Charlie Johnson, Martin Zigovsky and Dylan Andrews had multiple hits in the losing cause.

Joseph Taylor, Andrews and Johnson turned a nifty 6-4-3 double play to keep the game close.

The Falcons were scheduled to play Northwood Temple Academy at home Thursday.