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BAILEY–Exactly three months after its season started, Orange men’s soccer ventured into Bailey on Tuesday night.

They have played in 13 different stadiums across ten different towns.

They scored 66 goals and won a school record 16 games.

In the end, the number that Coach Palmer Bowman wanted more than anything else was one.

Just one more practice with a group that had been the most successful in the 37-year history of the team. A group that had overachieved since they kicked off the long campaign on August 12, with a heat advisory in effect, in its first-ever win against Carrboro.

“It was a good group,” Bowman said. “I wanted to keep it rolling after tonight.”

On Tuesday night, fans gathered at Firebirds Stadium wearing earmuffs, sweatshirts and overcoats in 55-degree weather to watch Southern Nash forward Wyatt Earp put the tombstone on Orange’s season.

Earp scored two goals while junior Mario Arredondo scored the game-winning goal with 5:19 remaining in the first half as Southern Nash defeated Orange 4-1 in the second round of the 3A State Playoffs. The Firebirds, the champions of the Big East Conference, will face J.H. Rose in the third round on Thursday night.

Orange, which reached the second round of the playoffs for only the second time in school history, ends the season 16-6.

“They’re fast,” Bowman said as he finished an emotional team meeting. “We turned the ball over a lot and they exploited that really quickly. At time, we were careless with the ball and they’re a quick team. They punished us we were turned it over, especially in the middle of the field.”

From kickoff, the Firebirds established a tempo that was as loud as the colors of their uniforms. A fast, pressing attack made it difficult for Orange to gain any significant possessions in the attacking end of the field. The Firebirds Yair Payola scored off a header just minutes into the game, leaving Orange with an uphill battle the entire night.

The best attempt in the first half for Orange came when Demetrius Holmes outfought a Firebird to win a ball in the box late in the first half. Holmes made the turn and fired from ten yards, but it sailed over the crossbar into the crisp November night.

Orange’s leading scorer, Yurem Tapia Mendez, decided to test Southern goalkeeper Alexis Benitez with an attempt from 45 yards with 1:12 remaining in the first half. Benitez, backpedaling, made the save and immediately launched a counter. Earp took a long throw from Benitez and dribbled to midfield, where he found Arredondo. As he enters the box, Arredondo fired to the low right corner, where the ball skipped past Orange goalkeeper Hector Garrido with :51.9 remaining in the first half.

Any hopes of an Orange comeback were dashed just when it appeared they would cut the lead in half. The Panthers’ Dallas Johnson fired from ten yards with Benitez out of position, but the ball was headed away on the goal line. The Firebirds stroked down the field on a counter, which ended with Earp scoring his first goal as he tucked it safely past Garrido with 24:50 remaining in regulation.

“That was a huge momentum swing,” Bowman said. “It was a total 180. We went from having a chance of our own to letting up and allowing them to get one. It was a two goal swing.”

Earp would score again later in the second half. It was the first time all year that Orange surrendered four goals in a game.

Junior Daniel Romero Toledo scored late for Orange to keep it from being a shutout. Romero ends the year with eight goals.

While the Panthers came up short in trying to reach the 3rd round for the first time in school history, they can move on knowing they were the most successful men’s team in Orange soccer history.

“It’s a testament to this group,” Bowman said. “They work they’ve put in over the years and all the guys who come through the program and imparted stuff on them that have been passed on.”

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s soccer midfielder Joseph Lopez. This season, Lopez has been a co-Captain for the most successful team in the 37-year history of the program. On Saturday night, the Panthers defeated Swansboro 1-0 to win the first home state playoff game in team history. The Panthers also set a school record with its 16th win of the season. Lopez scored one of the most beautiful goals of the year on October 9 against Walter Williams in Burlington. Lopez launched a shot from 27 yards that curled into the net for the game-winning goal in a 1-0 Panther victory. It was the first time that Orange swept a regular season series from Williams in Central Conference play. Lopez scored a goal in the Panthers’ win over Eastern Alamance in Mebane, which tied the school record for most wins in a season. He has four goals and five assists this season. Last year, Lopez scored three goals, including one against Western Alamance. Lopez has been instrumental in helping Orange reach unprecedented heights this season. In his second year on the varsity, Lopez has helped the Panthers reach the playoffs for the third straight season. Lopez will return to action on Tuesday night when Orange faces Southern Nash in the 2nd round of the 3A State Playoffs in Bailey.

Orange Panther of the Week: Joseph Lopez

This week’s Orange Panther of the Week is men’s soccer midfielder Joseph Lopez. This season, Lopez has been a co-Captain for the most successful team in the 37-year history of the program. On Saturday night, the Panthers defeated Swansboro 1-0 to win the first home state playoff game in team history.

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.

CHAPEL HILL–Even before last Thursday, it had already been a successful season for Stanback volleyball.

The Bulldogs finished 10-3 in the regular season and claimed the Orange Person Athletic Conference Northern Division championship. To make it even sweeter, the Bulldogs defeated crosstown rival Orange Middle to clinch the division title.

Last week, the Bulldogs went to Chapel Hill looking to add some gravy to its season, but the Smith Cyclones came away with its first-ever conference championship in volleyball.

Smith’s Machi Umenlawiri finished with five kills, 14 digs and two aces while Ally Lamb came away with 14 digs and six kills as the Cyclones defeated the Bulldogs in two sets on scores of 25-19, 25-19 in the OPAC Championship match last Thursday. Smith ended the year 8-4.

Stanback’s Lorelei Lowry finished with seven aces for the Bulldogs, who brought a strong contingent from Hillsborough in trying to avenge an earlier loss in the regular season to the Cyclones.

In each set, Umelnlawiri powered Smith to a strong run off her serve to pull the Cyclones ahead. Stanback racked up four straight points off the serve of Lowry to take a 4-2 lead. Kaitlyn Dixon scored a kill that put the Bulldogs ahead 7-4, leading to a Smith timeout. Smith’s Ainsley Stanley served an ace to start a 10-2 Cyclones run that carried them to the set victory. Umenlawiri served up seven consecutive points, including two aces. Lamb had two kills in the run, each assisted by Lenah Diggs. Stanback’s Naviyah Bowes ended the run with a kill assisted by Kaitlyn Dixon, but the Cyclones still led 14-9.

The Bulldogs chipped away at the Smith lead with Leena Frej delivering an ace and a kill from Kaitlyn Lee that reduced the Stanback deficit to 17-14. Lowry delivered two straight aces to cut the Cyclone advantage to 18-17. Umenlawiri delivered consecutive kills to send the Smith fans into a frenzy, stomping the wooden bleachers with each point. Lamb scored set point on a dunk at the net off a ball lofted to the net.

Lowry opened the second set with an ace, followed by a kill from Dixon assisted by Allie Gallina. The final set belonged to Lamb, who delivered an ace to even the set at 2-2. With the score even 7-7, the Cyclones went on a 7-0 run powered by three kills from Lamb.

The Bulldogs reeled off four straight points, including two more aces from Lowry to cut the Cyclone lead to 15-12. Lamb and Umenlawiri had consecutive kills to make it 17-14, which was as close as the Bulldogs would get to taking the lead. Smith’s Caroline Caldwell served an ace, followed by a kill by Lamb. On match point, a return by the Bulldogs went long.

Stanback assistant coach Izzy Shepherd was a member of Cedar Ridge’s 2021 3A State Championship team. During her junior year of November 2020, Cedar Ridge defeated Chapel Hill inside an empty Smith Middle School during the pandemic. It was the first of three straight conference championships for the Red Wolves, who played at Smith because Chapel Hill’s venerable gymnasium was being renovated.

Football: Orange Middle 32, Gravelly Hill 0: The Orange Middle School Chargers completed a perfect regular season with a victory over the Grizzlies. The game was called at halftime because of a lack of daylight.

Wilbert Torain scored a touchdown for the Chargers. So did quarterback Brayden Robbins, wide receiver Cam Royster and Asher Devore. The Chargers also came up with a safety.

Orange Middle’s Hayden Stone, Jaydan Gutierrez, Hayden Stone and Amare Bost each had strong games for the Chargers on defense.

Orange Middle will go for its second consecutive OPAC Championship when they face Northern Middle at Auman Stadium in Hillsborough. The game will take place on Wednesday afternoon at 5PM.

Orange Middle is 8-0.

Photo by Kim Petrides 

The Orange men’s soccer team is happy about winning its first state playoff game ever played on its home soil.

But they’re not content.

As usual, Orange had to fight for everything they earned against Swansboro on Saturday night. They hit a crossbar in regulation and had to hold on late to force overtime after a scoreless regulation.

In the end, their most reliable scorer was the one who cashed in the night’s only goal.

Junior Yurem Tapia Mendez scored on a penalty kick in the opening 10-minute overtime session as the Panthers defeated Swansboro 1-0 in the opening round of the state playoffs. Orange’s Daniel Toledo drew the penalty after he was tripped in the penalty area after a run into Pirate grounds.

On top of winning just the second playoff game in school history, it was Orange’s 16th win this season. That breaks the team record set in 2010 for an Orange squad that finished 15-6 and lost in the opening round of the state playoffs at Western Alamance.

The Panthers, seeded 14th in the Eastern Region, move on to face Southern Nash on Tuesday night. The Firebirds, the champions of the Big East Conference, defeated East Wake in the opening round.

“Some call it fun, I call it stress,” said Orange coach Palmer Bowman, who has led the Panthers to both of its lifetime postseason wins. “It was pretty stressful for me, but we came out on the right end of it.”

Mendez scored his 19th goal on the penalty, which was awarded after Romero moved on from the left side and got fouled on the edge of the box.

It was the eighth clean sheet for sophomore goalkeeper Hector Garrido, who had never played organized soccer before this season. Garrido, who started for the Orange men’s basketball team in its season opener last year against Hillside, opened the season with a victory over Carrboro.

“They’re big and physical,” Bowman said. “They had their share of corner kicks and free kicks. Hector did a good job of coming out and gobbling up a few. He used his size to go out and get the ball. It was a good environment with two good high school teams.”

Orange tread in dangerous grounds going to extra time against Swansboro, a team that had played six overtime games this season. The Pirates, from the Coastal Conference, end the year 11-9-4.

Mendez nearly had a goal in the second half. With 35:32 remaining in regulation, he cut to the right side and hit the crossbar from 27 yards. It was the best opportunity for either team.

Swansboro’s best opportunity came off a corner kick Jeremiah Rodriguez sent in a shot from 20 yards that rolled just wide of the far post.

It was another strong defensive performance from Orange’s experienced back line of Kace McAuley, Dallas Johnson, Eben Petrides and Jay Parker.

“We’re fortunate to have those guys,” Bowman said. “They’re gritty, they’re smart. They give it all they have. They clean up all their mistakes on their end of the field. They just care deeply about the team and each other.”

The first home playoff game in school history brought out the best in Orange fans, who turned away from college football for one night and packed both grandstands. The Panther contingent also lined up along the left sidelines to make their voices heard while bundled up in blankets and sweatshirts.

In Bailey on Tuesday night, Orange will attempt to reach the third round of the state playoffs for the first time ever. While a state playoff win has been elusive, Bowman isn’t ready to stop striving for more.

“It’s great,” Bowman said. “But there’s more to do. I don’t want to celebrate and have this be the end. I want this to be the start of something.”

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.

Everything Orange men’s soccer has ever earned, they’ve gotten the hard way.

The program stated in 1987 under head coach Pat Todd in the massive shadow of Chapel Hill High School, which won a state championship in 1983 when the word “soccer” was more of a stigma within the sports community.

Chapel Hill has three state championships. Orange has one lifetime win in the state playoffs.

After years of playing second, third, or fourth fiddle among Orange County teams, the Panthers will reach a new milestone tonight (Saturday). They will host a game in the state playoffs for the first time ever.

Orange earned a 14th-seed in the 3A State Playoffs when bracketing was released on Thursday by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association. The Panthers will face Swansboro at Orange Soccer Field tonight at 6PM.

Orange has tied a school record with 15 wins this year, starting with its first-ever victory over Carrboro back in August. They wound up with an automatic bid to the state playoffs after finishing 2nd in the Central Conference behind Western Alamance, which is seeded #2 in the 3A East Region.

“It’s a testament to all the guys who have come through the program over the years to help it get to this point,” said Orange men’s soccer coach Palmer Bowman. “At the same time, that’s great and we appreciate that. But we want to make some noise and we got a job to do. Hopefully, we’re focused on that.”

Swansboro, from the Coastal Conference, will arrive in Hillsborough with an 11-8-4 mark. The Pirates played six consecutive overtime games in the month of October, including a scoreless tie against Coastal Conference champions Croatan. Swansboro defeated Croatan on October 1, but the Pirates enter the playoffs on a three-game losing streak.

“Swansboro is good,” Bowman said after practice on Friday. “Those coastal teams just beat each other up. We know we’re going to have our hands full tomorrow.”

After years of playing inside cavernous Auman Stadium, Orange has had its own soccer park for over a decade. The capacity of two grandstands creates a loud and often hectic environment where dedicated fans bring their own lawn chairs to sit right along the edge of the sidelines, often fielding errant passes that go out of play. For big games, Orange students will back their trucks right along the edge of the end zone fence behind the north end goalkeeper to watch the action, hence their fan section nickname “The Truck Bed Rowdies.”

Orange is 9-1 at home this year.

“We’ve had a huge home field advantage over the years,” Bowman said. “We’ve got a strong contingent of fans and family that really love these guys. They make a lot of sacrifices to come out and watch us.”

When workouts started in August, Bowman had an experienced team that included senior captains Joseph Lopez, Eben Petrides and Issac Gallegos. There was one major hole: at goalkeeper.

After Finn Kelly graduated last June, Petrides was the last goalkeeper remaining on the roster. But he moved to centerback. In tryouts, sophomore Hector Garrido stood out, despite the fact that he had never played any organized soccer.

Garrido, who started as a freshman for the Orange varsity men’s basketball team last year, has come through with seven clean sheets this season. His defensive back line of Petrides, Jay Parker, Dallas Johnson and Logan Edwards has provided ample defensive support to hold 13 opponents to one goal or less.

“It’s a strong group of guys,” Bowman said. “We just always preach about what’s in front of us and they’ve taken it one game at a time.”

Junior Yurem Tapia Mendez has scored 18 goals, including the game-winner in the season opener against Carrboro. It’s the most goals scored in one season by an Orange player since Jamar Davis, who ran track at N.C. State, scored 19 goals in the 2017-2018 season.

Senior co-Captain Joseph Lopez scored the game-winning goal against Walter Williams on October 9, which triggered a seven-game winning streak that concluded the regular season. Daniel Romero Toledeo has scored seven goals for the Panthers.

Orange’s only state playoff win came in 2017 at Jacksonville.