Playing two games in less than 24 hours proved too much for the Pinecrest girls’ soccer team as they fell to Jacksonville 3-1 on Saturday during The Brittany Showcase in Wilson.

Sixty-five girls’ high school soccer teams from the mountains to the coast play in this annual fundraising event, which has been called “the best high school soccer event in North Carolina” by the NC Soccer Coaches Association. Pinecrest was paired with Coastal Conference Jacksonville (14-1), who is ranked second in the 3-A polls.

The Cardinals led at halftime 1-0 and managed to slip through the Patriot defenders for a second goal in the 55th minute before Pinecrest was able to make its first tally.

With freshman goalkeeper Abbey Crider starting the second half, Sarah Dejak, who began in goal, moved to offense and tapped in the ball following a deflected shot for Pinecrest’s only score.

Jacksonville struck for its third score late in the second half. Kristen Phelps had a good opportunity with a close shot on goal in the last four minutes of the match which just went wide to the left.

Pinecrest coach Todd Abbey said his team has had lots of success controlling the ball and beating teams in possession. But, they’ve had little luck finding the net.

“Between the 18s (in the middle of the field), we’re the greatest team,” he said. “But we have to score and find the back of the goal. We have to get in front early and then play our game.”

The Patriots now find themselves at 8-5-2 going into the home stretch before state playoffs, and Abbey’s concern is having his team find a rhythm and stick to their game plan.

“It’s time to start coaching and playing for the states, which are three weeks away,” he added. “The second half of the Broughton game, which was several weeks ago, was the last time we’ve had a complete starting line-up, due to injuries and other schedules. Girls need to earn their spots and show what they can do.”

Pinecrest had a scheduled Monday conference game at Scotland County and will play at Purnell Swett on Wednesday. Raleigh Sanderson visits the Patriots on Thursday.