It took an overtime period to achieve, but the O’Neal boys’ soccer team did something it hadn’t accomplished since 2007: defeat Cape Fear Academy.

Riding Rick Catania’s overtime score, the Falcons picked up a 2-1 win in Wilmington Friday, the first time they had beaten Cape Fear since joining the Cape Fear Independent Conference in ’07. The win ran the Falcons’ record to 3-0 overall.

Catania’s goal came on a free kick from about 5ive yards outside the left edge of the 18 box. He lined up for what appeared to be a crossing free kick play. However, he caught Cape Fear’s goalie off guard with a bending shot into the upper outside corner of the goal, giving O’Neal a 2-1 lead.

With 15 minutes remaining in overtime, it was still anyone’s game, according to O’Neal coach David Wood, and Cape Fear didn’t give up until the final whistle.

O’Neal looked very strong in the first half, working the ball around the field, attacking continuously and countering Cape Fear’s direct game, according to Wood.

In the 34th minute, J.R. Moore scored a goal off of a shot from about 25 yards out that rattled off the crossbar and bounced down just over the goal line.

In the second half, O’Neal lost the upper hand as Cape Fear came back strong, and the momentum went back and forth. In the 64th minute, Fisher Yeargan scored on a header off of a corner kick for Cape Fear. The game continued to go back and forth in the second half, and at the end of regulation it was 1-1.

O’Neal will travel to Durham next Thursday for an out-of-conference game against Carolina Friends School.

Pats Move to 3-0 in Volleyball

The Pinecrest volleyball team improved to 3-0 with a 25-13, 25-12 and 25-14 home victory over E. E. Smith Thursday evening.

The Patriot leaders included Janea Williams with 14 kills, Megan Thomas with 22 assists, and Keegan Lynch with 14 service points and 11 digs.

Also for the Pats, Felicia Painter had nine kills, six blocks and seven service points. Mary Grace Phipps contributed nine service points and five digs.

Coach Barbara Foxx’s squad travels to Jack Britt on Monday and entertains Western Harnett on Tuesday.

The Patriot junior varsity team defeated E.E. Smith 2-0 to improve to 2-1.

Mustangs Drop Volleyball Opener

The young North Moore volleyball team opened its season on the road Thursday at 2-A Providence Grove.

The host Lady Patriots swept the visiting Lady Mustangs 25-12, 25-10 and 25-11. North Moore’s junior varsity squad also lost 25-16 and 25-21.

North Moore will try to get in the win column when it entertains South Stanly in its Yadkin Valley Conference opener Tuesday.

The junior varsity match is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity match.