On the cool fall evening the area experienced Wednesday, the soccer field at Union High School was buzzing with energy as the Spartans prepared to face off against Lakewood. Both teams were eager to leave their mark in what looked to be a highly competitive match. It was the Leopards who took one from the home team, securing a 5-0 shutout in Carolina 1A Conference play.
The players from Union gathered for a 10-minute warm-up, executing drills with precision and focus. Just five minutes before kickoff, Union’s coach gathered his players for a brief pep talk. He spoke words of encouragement, followed by a team prayer. The Spartans huddled close, their unity palpable, and after the final “amen,” a thunderous roar erupted from the players, setting the tone for the game.
As the whistle blew to start the match, Union’s Ronnie Castro wasted no time in creating scoring opportunities. His quick footwork and vision led him to threaten Lakewood’s defense early in the game. Joining him in the attack, Cris Sebastian and Jesus Pedraza, helped push the ball forward with Erik Lara showing great control and tenacity in the midfield, shutting down several Lakewood attacks. On the defensive side, Union’s Edisson Erazo played with an aggressive edge, challenging Lakewood’s forwards and keeping their momentum in check.