Cedar Ridge Men’s Soccer

From the day the season started, the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team was pressed with adversity. They lost its top player, Dominic McNerney, to Western Alamance, the only team that finished ahead of the Red Wolves in the Central Conference last season. Two weeks ago, Cedar Ridge ended the season on a bright note when they defeated Vance County 3-2. Niko James scored the game-winning goal off a corner kick with 11:45 remaining in regulation. The Red Wolves avenged an earlier loss to the Vipers. All three goals scored by Cedar Ridge were notched by underclassmen. Freshmen Rodrigo Arellano and Alex Rosales also scored as Cedar Ridge roared out to a 2-0 lead. Edber Lopez assisted on the game-winning goal. It was a gratifying final home game for senior Salomon Hernandez, who was an instrumental part of Cedar Ridge’s most successful regular season in recent memory in 2023. This season, Hernandez scored five goals with three assists. James led Cedar Ridge with eleven goals. Rosales added eight goals. Junior Erik Galunas earned a win in the season finale. Cedar Ridge concludes the regular season with an overall record of 7-10-2 with a 5-7 mark in the Central Conference. They will look to build on a strong season from several underclassmen in 2025.

Cedar Ridge men’s soccer senior discuss season-ending win over Vance County

From the day the season started, the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team was pressed with adversity. They lost its top player, Dominic McNerney, to Western Alamance, the only team that finished ahead of the Red Wolves in the Central Conference last season.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior soccer midfielder Edwin Huerta. This season, Huerta had his first career brace in a win over Southern Alamance. Huerta just finished his second season as a varsity soccer player. He won his final game in a Red Wolf uniform when Cedar Ridge defeated Vance County 3-2 at Red Wolves Stadium on October 28. Huerta has been a wrestler for Cedar Ridge for two seasons. In his sophomore season, he reached the finals of the Central Conference 160 pound tournament after he defeated Elijah Farrow of Northwood 7-5. This season on the soccer pitch, Huerta stepped in after the Red Wolves lost its best player, Dominic McNerney, following an 11th hour transfer to Western Alamance. Huerta helped the Red Wolves win five conference games. Huerta is a regular at various gyms in the Hillsborough area, where he powerlifts with Cedar Ridge wrestling coach Scott Metcalf along with various members of the wrestling team. Huerta will return to the wrestling mat next week when the Cedar Ridge wrestling team starts its season against Uwharrie Charter Academy in Asheboro. Cedar Ridge is the defending Central Conference champions and Huerta will be counted on as one of the senior leaders on this year’s team. 

Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week: Edwin Huerta

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior soccer midfielder Edwin Huerta. This season, Huerta had his first career brace in a win over Southern Alamance. Huerta just finished his second season as a varsity soccer player.

It was a long wait for the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team to play its first home game of the season. The Red Wolves started its season on August 14. On Monday night, Cedar Ridge finally saw the inside of Red Wolves Stadium and defeated Eastern Alamance 9-0. Senior Salomon Hernandez scored the game-winning goals in the 20th minute off an assist from Niko James. Later, James would add another goal. Hernandez’s younger brother, Rodrigo Arellano, added two goals and had two assists. Arellano, a freshman, turned 14 years old on Monday on the night where he achieved his first brace as a Red Wolf. Junior goalkeeper Erik Galunas earned the win in net after playing the first half. Senior Ben Miller played the opening 20 minutes of the second half. Alex Rosales, Sawyer Smith, Arturo Hernandez and Sawyer Smith also scored goals. Cedar Ridge coach Chauncey Brummell was forced to start younger players during the early portion of the season after the transfer of midfielder Dominic McNerney, who left for Western Alamance. The Red Wolves have won consecutive games for the first time this year. They are 3-3-2, 2-o in the Central Conference. Cedar Ridge will travel to Primm Stadium to face Western Alamance, the defending conference champions, on Wednesday night.

Cedar Ridge men’s soccer’s James, Hernandez, Arellano & Galunas talk 1st home win

It was a long wait for the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team to play its first home game of the season. The Red Wolves started its season on August 14. On Monday night, Cedar Ridge finally saw the inside of Red Wolves Stadium and defeated Eastern Alamance 9-0.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior centerback for the men’s soccer team Salomon Hernandez. The Captain of the team, Hernandez has provided experience for a Cedar Ridge team that was filled with adversity over the first month of the season. Because of repairs at the track inside Red Wolves Stadium, Cedar Ridge has opened the year with seven consecutive road games. On top of that, they lost its leading scorer from last year when Dominic McNerney transferred to Western Alamance–two days before the season opener against Carrboro. Hernandez has provided leadership in the midst of it all. Last week, he had an assist in the Red Wolves 8-0 win at Person. Last year, Hernandez scored one of the most memorable goals in team history when his header off a corner kick with 4:17 remaining in regulation to defeat Western Alamance. It was the first time that the Red Wolves defeated the Warriors since they became Central Conference rivals in 2021. Hernandez helped Cedar Ridge host a state playoff game last year for the first time since 2015. Hernandez works out with Wake FC during his time away from Cedar Ridge and he will end his career as a player who helped Cedar Ridge reach new heights. The Red Wolves will travel to Orange tonight for the opening leg of the Hillsborough Derby.

Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week: Salomon Hernandez

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is senior centerback for the men’s soccer team Salomon Hernandez. The Captain of the team, Hernandez has provided experience for a Cedar Ridge team that was filled with adversity over the first month of the season.

Just two weeks into the season and there has been early adversity for the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team. Their top goal scorer from last year, Dominic McNearney, transferred to Western Alamance just a few days before the season opener against Carrboro. It was a crucial blow for a squad that came one win away from the Central Conference championship in 2023. The Red Wolves do return senior midfielder Solomon Hernandez and junior goalkeeper Erik Galunas. Last year, Hernandez scored the game-winning goal when Cedar Ridge stunned Western Alamance 1-0 at Red Wolves Stadium. Hernandez was also a valuable defensive presence throughout the season, including when Cedar Ridge played Western Alamance to a scoreless tie in Elon. In the season opener, Galunas stopped a penalty kick against Carrboro. Last season, Galunas was a huge presence in net as the Red Wolves had its most successful season since 2016. They hosted a state playoff game against Southern Lee. Cedar Ridge will try to get on track on Friday afternoon when they face West Johnston at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. The Red Wolves are 0-2 and are coming off a loss to Vance County in Henderson. Sophomore Niko James has scored two goals so far this season, including one against the Vipers earlier this week.

Cedar Ridge men’s soccer Erik Galunas & Solomon Hernandez discuss start to the season

Just two weeks into the season and there has been early adversity for the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team. Their top goal scorer from last year, Dominic McNearney, transferred to Western Alamance just a few days before the season opener against Carrboro.

Coming off its most successful season since 2016, Cedar Ridge men’s soccer wasn’t supposed to have a rebuilding season this year.

They only lost four seniors from 2023, when they won 12 games and hosted a state playoff matchup against Southern Lee. Magical moments happened throughout the season, starting with a six-game undefeated streak and a 1-0 win over Western Alamance when Solomon Hernandez headed in the game-winner late in the second half. The entire team posed in front of the scoreboard following the biggest result for the Red Wolves in years.

Even when tryouts started three weeks ago, it appeared most of the pieces from last year’s remarkable squad would return. But nothing is as certain nowadays in sports as it seems.

Last week, senior Dominic McNerney, who led the team with nine goals in 2023, transferred to Western Alamance. It came as a surprise to Cedar Ridge head coach Chauncey Brummell. McNerney participated in the team’s summer camp at UNC Greensboro and attended tryouts on August 1.

On top of that, junior midfielder Gael Antunez-Nunez is ineligible for the season. Antunez-Nunez racked up eight assists in 2023, second on the team behind senior Iliah Babchenko, who graduated in June.

“It’s a major loss,” Brummell said during practice last Friday. “You just rely on your seniors. We’re going to have some growing pains, obviously. It’s going to be rough for us as the season begins. Once we get out full team back, we should be able to overcome some of those hurdles.”

Hernandez, who scored six goals last season, sat out most of the summer after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. Usually, Hernandez trains with Wake FC at Ting Park in Holly Springs, but the layoff led to him missing Thursday’s season-opener against Carrboro. He’s slated to return at Vance County on Monday night.

Junior goalkeeper Erik Galunas is back. In 2023, Galunas was named to the All-Central Conference team after he posted five clean sheets and 12 wins overall.

Cedar Ridge is also spending a lot of time on the road to open the year. They start with four straight road games, including contests at Vance County on Monday, at Asheboro on Wednesday and a trip to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary on Friday to face Cape Fear.

A short-handed Cedar Ridge team dropped its season-opener to Carrboro 4-1 last week at Jaguars Stadium. Galunas saved a penalty kick in the second half. Junior Niko James scored the Red Wolves’ first goal of the year in the second half. Carrboro (1-1) won its home opener after starting the year with a loss at Orange.

Cedar Ridge does return junior midfielder Edber Lopez, who scored three goals last season. There’s also Alejandro Macero-Ramos, who also netted three goals in 2023.

The Red Wolves will play its opening home game against Vance County on August 26. They will start Central Conference play against Person on September 11 in Roxboro.

“The goal is to keep everyone positive,” Brummel said. “Yeah, we’re hurting a little bit because of Dom’s departure. One person isn’t the face of Cedar Ridge soccer. We just have to work harder. We’ve got some kids who are talented. It’s just going to take us some time to gel because they’re new.”

Southern Durham 3, Orange 0: The Spartans, the defending Northern Lake Conference champions, defeated Orange at Spartan Stadium on Wednesday night. Chris Morales, Juan Soliz and Joseth Banegas each scored goals for the Sparans, who are 1-0-1.

Orange goalkeeper Hector Garrido made eight saves, including a penalty kick, in his second varsity start. The Panthers fall to 1-1 and will host Durham School of the Arts on Monday night in Hillsborough. Last year, the Panthers defeated the Bulldogs 2-1 in the Bull City.

From the outside, there wasn’t any reason to think this season would be all that special for Cedar Ridge men’s soccer.

They finished 5-15-1 in 2022, winning only three Central Carolina Conference games. They won consecutive games only once and lost its top scorer from each of the past two seasons, Cthe Rhris Mendez, due to graduation.

Yet from the very beginning of the season, when they defeated Eno River Academy 4-2 on August 14 at Cedar Ridge Stadium, there was a different feel for Cedar Ridge this year. After the win over the Bobcats, senior midfielder Iliah Babchenko said the team’s goal was to make the state playoffs for the first time in six years. Babchenko had a goal and an assist in the season opener against Eno River.

Soon, those expectations would grow larger. Three days later, the Red Wolves started a four-game road trip with a 4-1 win over Voyager Academy in Durham. Babchenko scored on a penalty. The Red Wolves would start 4-0-1, its best start in 14 years.

The most thrilling win of the nonconference portion of the schedule came against Seaforth in Pittsboro, when the Red Wolves rallied from two goals down to beat the Hawks 3-2. Jonam Juarez scored the game-winning goal.

Babchenko was the leading scorer on the best Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team ever at the 3A level. The Red Wolves finished 12-5-3 overall, 8-2-2 in the CCC. Babchenko finished with six goals and 13 assists.

Without question, his most memorable moment of the season came against Western Alamance on September 10. Mired in a rugged, scoreless game in the final five minutes of regulation, Babchenko triggered a corner kick along the north end of Red Wolves Stadium. The ball was blocked back to Babchenko, who launched a cross into the six-yard box. Salomon Hernandez curved into the right spot and got enough contact on a header to tuck the ball into the right corner of the net, setting off a wild celebration that spilled onto the track.

The Red Wolves would hold on to beat the Warriors 1-0. The win vaulted Cedar Ridge into first place in the CCC, where they remained until the final week of the season.

“We had a great season,” Brummell said. “This is probably one of the most memorable seasons I will ever have. I feel like in the very short period I’ve been here, we’ve really turned things around. I’m going to miss Iliah, though.”

Babchenko was also directly responsible for a 2-1 win over Walter Williams in Burlington, Cedar Ridge’s first conference win ever at Kernodle Field. Babchenko scored a goal and also assisted on the game-winner from Dominic McNerney.

Last month, Southern Lee defeated Cedar Ridge 3-2 in the opening round of the 3A State Playoffs. It was the first time since 2015 that the Red Wolves hosted a state playoff game.

Cedar Ridge finished second in the CCC despite having just four seniors. Babchenko, emotional after his final game at Cedar Ridge, summed up a memorable senior season following the loss to the Cavaliers.

“I think we had a lot of goals for this season,” Babchenko said. “We had high expectations. I remember after the Eno River win, I said we wanted to make the state playoffs. We did it, but we didn’t get the result we wanted (against Southern Lee). But we can’t knock ourselves because we put up a fight.”

Babchenko began playing in the Mebane Youth Soccer Association, then moved on to play at Triangle United for travel soccer. His parents moved to the United States in the early 2000s from Ukraine. Babchenko’s father was the public address announcer for Red Wolves games this season at Cedar Ridge Stadium.

When August practice started for the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team, the goal was to make the state playoffs.

It was a common refrain. The Red Wolves haven’t been since 2016 when current Chicago Bears punter Trenton Gill played for the Red Wolves, coached by Chris Walker.

Nonetheless, it felt like a lofty goal after the Red Wolves finished 5-15-1 last year.

Then the Red Wolves started 2023 with six wins in its opening nine games. Needless to say, their goals got bigger.

Tonight (Monday), the Red Wolves will host a state playoff game inside Red Wolves Stadium for the first time since 2015.

The Red Wolves received a #14 seed for the 3A State Playoffs. They will host Southern Lee, the #19 seed from the 4A/3A Sandhills Conference tonight at 6PM.

Along the way, the Orange men’s soccer team has made its own history. The Panthers also made the field of 64 for the 3A State Tournament, receiving a #26 seed. The Panthers will journey to Sanford tonight to face Lee County, the champions of the Sandhills Conference.

It’s the first time in the 35-year history of the program that Orange (8-7-3) has made the state playoffs in back-to-back years. Orange sewed up its spot in the state playoffs with a 2-0 victory over Eastern Alamance last week in Mebane. Traver Bruhns, in his final regular season game, scored two goals. It was the first brace of his high school career.

Orange goalkeeper Finn Kelly earned the clean sheet. The winner of Lee County/Orange will face either Western Alamance or Walter Williams in the second round.

It’s a bittersweet draw for Cedar Ridge, who finished the regular season 12-4-3. While they’re hosting a state playoff game, they nearly made history by winning the Central Carolina Conference championship. It would have been the first men’s soccer championship in school history. Two weeks ago, the Red Wolves played to a scoreless tie at Western Alamance. They maintained the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Warriors and were two wins away from taking the crown. But on October 18, the Red Wolves lost to Walter Williams 1-0 on a goal by Anderson Aguilera with 6:42 remaining in regulation. Western Alamance closed with decisive wins over Person and Southern Alamance to take the conference crown.

“I couldn’t imagine that it would have gone that way this year,” said Cedar Ridge coach Chancey Brummell. “Last year was a good group of kids. I don’t think they played as a team and it showed. I thought going into this year we were going to be competitive. But if you had asked me ‘Coach, would Cedar Ridge be in contention to win the conference?’ I would have told you no. I didn’t think we were going to be up there with the likes of a Western (Alamance) and a Williams.”

If Cedar Ridge’s season could be defined in one imagine, it would be Salomon Hernandez running across the field after scoring on a header against Western Alamance with 4:17 remaining in regulation. Goalkeeper Erik Galunas would earn the clean sheet as the Red Wolves defeated the Warriors 1-0 on September 20.

“When we won the first few games, I knew then we were going to become something special,” Brummells said. “It was disappointing to come up short against Williams last week. But compared to where we were last year, I will take that any day. It’s impressive not just for the players, but I think for the program and the school. It’s shows other players that Cedar Ridge soccer is going somewhere.”

It’s Cedar Ridge’s first trip to the 3A State Playoffs since 2016, when they lost to Corinth-Holders 1-0 in the opening round. The Red Wolves were an 11-seed. Back then, the 3A State Tournament was a 32-team tournament.

The last time Cedar Ridge hosted a state playoff game inside Red Wolves Stadium, it was 2015. They defeated Northwood 2-0.

For the first time since 2016, the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team is headed to the 3A State Playoffs. The Red Wolves celebrated a special season with a 3-1 victory over Eastern Alamance at Red Wolves Stadium. Junior Dominic McNerney scored the game-winning goal. Senior Iliah Babchenko scored on a penalty as the Red Wolves completed the regular season 12-4-5. Last year, the Red Wolves finished 5-15-1 in 2022. Cedar Ridge will likely host a game in the state playoffs on Monday night. It will be the first state playoff game of any sort contested inside Red Wolves Stadium in May 2022. Babchenko, Jonam Juarez, Jackson Baker and Abazar Babiker were all honored on Senior Night as the Red Wolves swept the season series from the Eagles. Cedar Ridge finished in 2nd place in the Central Carolina Conference, its best-ever showing as a 3A team. Cedar Ridge will venture into the field of 64 in the state playoffs, which has been the goal from the beginning of the year.

Cedar Ridge seniors Iliah Babchenko, Jonam Juarez, Abazar Babiker & Jackson Baker talk win vs. EA.

For the first time since 2016, the Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team is headed to the 3A State Playoffs. The Red Wolves celebrated a special season with a 3-1 victory over Eastern Alamance at Red Wolves Stadium. Junior Dominic McNerney scored the game-winning goal.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is junior men’s soccer defender Salomon Hernandez. On September 20, Hernandez scored the game-winning goal as the Red Wolves defeated Western Alamance 1-0 at Red Wolves Stadium. It’s the only conference loss the Warriors have suffered this season and put Cedar Ridge in first place in the Central Carolina Conference. Against Southern Alamance, Hernandez scored his first career hat trick as the Red Wolves defeated the Patriots 7-2 at Red Wolves Stadium on October 4. Hernandez trains with Wake FC in Holly Springs and has also spent time with the North Carolina FC Academy in Cary. This season, he has been one of the sparkplugs for the most successful season for the Red Wolves in recent history. He has scored six goals, with additional tallies against Eastern Alamance and Person. Next week, Cedar Ridge will officially make the 3A State Playoffs for the first time since 2016, which was the goal of the team from the very beginning of the year when they defeated Eno River Academy on August 14. Hernandez has been a member of the varsity since he was a freshman. Cedar Ridge will wrap up the regular season against Eastern Alamance at Red Wolves Stadium on Tuesday night.

Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week: Solomon Hernandez

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is junior men’s soccer defender Salomon Hernandez. On September 20, Hernandez scored the game-winning goal as the Red Wolves defeated Western Alamance 1-0 at Red Wolves Stadium. It’s the only conference loss the Warriors have suffered this season and put Cedar Ridge in first place in the Central Carolina Conference.