The Union Pines Vikings defeated Gray's Creek 3-2 in a Cape Fear Valley Conference soccer match Thursday at Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium in Cameron.

With the victory Union Pines improved its league record to 6-3 and moved to 7-7-1 overall on the season.

By halftime the Vikings had built a 3-0 lead against the visiting Bears (8-4-2, 6-2 CFVC)

Adam Howard got the Vikes on the board when scored a goal taking a touch on a pass from Rafael Pastrana in the 26th minute.

A score on a free kick from 26 yards out in the 35th minute by sophomore Matthew Cooper gave the homestanding Vikes a 2-0 margin.

For good measure, Union Pines scored in the final 20 seconds of the first half, on an Evan Lindsay shot from close range. Both Tanner Mahood and Howard were credited with assists on the goal.

In the final 40 minutes, Union Pines managed to fight off a furious 15-minute charge by the Bears to preserve the critical conference win.

Union Pines keeper Austin Beers had 14 saves in the match.

Up next for Union Pines is a Monday match with league-leading Southern Lee (12-3-0, 8-0) as the Vikings carry a four-game winning streak into the CFVC clash, scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. in Cameron.