Blue Comets play Monday night for spot at state title game

Randolph Hub
ASHEBORO — Asheboro High School’s varsity soccer team moved into the state 3-A semifinals with a pair of shutout victories last week in the 3-A soccer playoffs.

Asheboro, the No. 1 seed in the west bracket, defeated No. 25 West Iredell 3-0 on Monday, Nov. 7, then outlasted No. 4 East Lincoln 1-0 in the rain on Thursday, Nov. 10, on a long goal by Daniel Gutierrez Resendez.  Both games were played at Asheboro High School. 

The wins improved AHS to 23-1-2 and moved them into a semifinal match against No. 10 Hickory (20-2-3) on Monday, Nov. 14, in Asheboro. Gametime is 6 p.m.

The Blue Comets enterd the game 16-0-1 at home this season; Hickory enterd 11-2 on the road.

That winner plays the East winner, either No. 8 Jacksonville or No. 2 First Flight, for the 3-A state championship this weekend.

A pair of Cristians have led Asheboro’s offense this season. Cristian Ortiz Benetiz has 36 goals (7th in the state). Cristian Cruz has 15 goals and 18 assists. 

The Blue Comets enter Monday’s game having outscored opponents 101-13 this season. Fifteen times they’ve shut out their opponents, including in 8 of the last 10 games.

Asheboro’s only loss this year was 2-0 to Wesleyan Christian Academy of High Point, one of the top-ranked 4A teams in the state.