ROCKY MOUNT – SGAA rallied to defeat the Bladen County 14-and-Under Boys All-Stars 4-2 Sunday in the championship game of the Statewide Activities Committee (SWAC) State Tournament.
It is the 3rd consecutive year that Bladen County has been state runners-up in the 14U Boys tournament. Bladen County defeated Rocky Mount 5-1 earlier Sunday morning to finish pool play with a perfect 4-0 record and advance to the championship game.
Alejandro Lopez sparked Bladen County to an early lead attacking the net for an unassisted goal then sending an assist to Levi Velasco who knocked in the goal for a 2-0 lead.
Velasco returned the favor with an assist to Lopez who banged in his 2nd goal for a 3-0 lead. Jaylen Smith and Jason Velasquez fired in goals as the Bladen lead grew to 5-0 before Rocky Mount scored.
Lopez drilled in a penalty kick to tie the championship game 1-1. Lopez later added the other Bladen goal. In 5 games in the state tournament Lopez scored 10 goals.
The Bladen team had to play a man down for most of the championship game due to what the coaching staff called a controversial red card early in the 1st half.
Coach Johnny Wilson, Jr. praised the play of his captains Alejandro Lopez, JaDarius McArthur and Damien Sanchez.
Team members are: JaDarius McArthur, Alejandro Lopez, Damian Sanchez, Jaylen Smith, Fox Sutton, Jason Velazquez, Ethan Garcia, Johnny Wilson III, Levi Velasco Garcia, Lakota Schmale, Salvador Gonzalez, Hayes Clifton, Keithan Russ, David Sanchez, Joshua Martinez and Cayden Smith.
Johnny Wilson, Jr. is the head coach of the Bladen all-stars and will be assisted by Simon Lopez and Eric Sandoval.
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