The North Moore soccer team went into Tuesday's game with North Rowan looking to solidify its hold on third place in the Yadkin Valley Conference.

It did just that, winning 2-0.

The Mustangs started out strong defensively with a missing key player out of the lineup, according to coach James Horwath. They took advantage early, controlling a better part of the possession. Several scoring chances were generated early on due to set pieces.

Fifteen minutes into the first half, a Leslie Castrejon corner was poked to the side by Jamie Garner. Lulumaria Villegas, for the third game in a row, found herself at the right place at the right time. She calmly touch left and shot to the upper left corner of the net to give the Mustangs the early lead.

An inspired North Rowan pressed the Mustangs, but the North Moore defenders wouldn’t allow any shots on goal.

The second half started off fairly evenly again with North Moore accounting several set pieces created by various fouls. North Moore again registered several quality scoring opportunities, but were unable to place a second goal in the net.

A free kick with 10 minutes to go proved to be the goal needed to ensure victory.Leslie Castrejon set up for a free kick as every player, except Ester Pascaul flooded wide right.

Castrejon sent a pass to Pascaul who attracted several defenders leaving Castrejon open at the top the eighteen. Pascaul passed to Castrejon, who sent a well placed ball in the upper right corner of the net.

North Rowan continued to press, but couldn’t generate any scoring opportunities. For the second night in a row, the North Moore defense didn’t allow a single shot on goal.

“Based on the current situation, we went back to the basics and focused on defense to allow the game to develop from the back forward," Horwath said. "Simply put, the defense, as a unit, refused to allow North Rowan any breathing space in the box. North Rowan is a mid-pack team that has an outstanding work rate, so I think it speaks volumes when, as a team, not a single shot gets on goal.”

The 12th ranked Mustangs move to 8-3-2 in conference play and 8-4-2 overall. Next Tuesday the Mustangs host South Davidson and next Friday the Mustangs travel to Union Pines for a local showdown.