HobbsDailyReport.com
HICKORY – Freshman Manuel Marquinez delivered a go-ahead goal in the final five minutes on Monday night as Newton-Conover High’s boys nipped Hickory 3-1 in a battle of traditional soccer rivals at Hickory.
RED DEVILS 3
RED TORNADOES 1
Marquinez scored with four minutes 47 seconds to play to give the Red Devils a 2-1 lead, and Francisco Tapia added a goal with 1:27 to play as Newton-Conover remained unbeaten at 5-0-1.
Hickory dropped to 1-4-1.
Newton-Conover controlled the tempo for most of the match on both ends. The Red Devils had 29 shots (10 on goal) and the Red Tornadoes got only six shots, four on goal.
Newton-Conover’s defense was a key in the victory.
The Red Devils had six shots on goal in the second half, scoring on two of their final three attempts.
After Marquinez scored his second goal and gave the Red Devils a one-goal lead, Newton-Conover’s keeper, Jon Joplin, made a diving save on a shot by Brayden Rowland with two minutes left that would have made it a 2-all match.
The Red Devils struck first with 2:10 left in the first half on a goal by Marquinez off an assist by Tapia, and Newton-Conover led 1-0 at the half.
Hickory pulled even at 1-all with 27:43 to play on a goal by Rowland.
Newton-Conover’s season continues Wednesday night at 6 p.m. with a match at Fred T. Foard.
Hickory also plays Wednesday, facing Hibriten at 6:30 p.m. at Hickory.