HobbsDailyReport.com
LENOIR – Noel Fong scored both goals on Saturday night as fourth-seeded Newton-Conover High kept alive its hope of repeating as state 2A boys’ soccer champion with a 2-1 win over top-seeded Hibriten.
The visiting Red Devils (22-3-1) handed the Panthers (24-1-2) their first loss the season to advance to Tuesday’s West 2A title match.
Newton-Conover will play at No. 3 Salisbury (24-2-1), a 3-2 winner at home in the third round over No. 10 East Lincoln, which ended up 22-4-0 after finishing second this season behind Newton-Conover in the South Fork 2A.
Playing at William Lenoir Middle School, Fong scored his first goal at the 34:29 mark on a penalty kick and his other goal also came in the first half.
David Franquiz scored with 23:38 to go in the first half for Hibriten, the champion from the Northwestern Foothills 2A.
East top seed First Flight — which Newton-Conover beat 1-0 for the state title last season in Raleigh — has again reached the Final Four after beating No. 5 Carrboro 2-1 on Saturday.
First Flight will have a home match on Tuesday for the East 2A title against No. 2 Clinton (24-1), which advanced by beating No. 22 East Duplin 2-0 on Saturday.
NEWTON-CONOVER’S SEASON RESULTS:http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/newton-conover-red-devils-(newton,nc)/soccer/home.htm
No. 3 Salisbury 3, No. 10 East Lincoln 2
SALISBURY — The Hornets (24-2-1) eliminated the visiting Mustangs (22-4-0) in a third round 2A match.
Chase Gilley and Miller Towson scored for East Lincoln and Logan Gilley had two assists.
The Mustangs’ only other losses this season came against West 2 finalist Newton-Conover in South Fork 2A matches (twice) and against Central Cabarrus.
