Greene Central’s Road to the Fourth Round Goes Through Washington
SNOW HILL — Greene Central’s season has been a masterclass in dominance and determination. With a 19-5 record, a perfect 12-0 conference slate, and a prolific 90-30 goal differential, the Rams have proven they belong among the state’s elite. After a commanding 3-0 victory over East Duplin in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A Soccer Playoffs, Greene Central will host conference rival Washington Pam Pack tomorrow at 6 p.m. in a high-stakes third-round matchup.
For head coach Jacob Baird, the journey has been all about setting high expectations and meeting them head-on. “At the beginning of every year, I bring up the result of the previous year and tell them that anything less than that is unacceptable,” Baird said. “Last year, you know, we won the conference, but we had to rely on some other teams' results for that to happen. This year, we made sure it was up to us from the very first conference game.”
In just two seasons, Baird has amassed an impressive 37-10-1 record, and his team has fully embraced the challenge of pushing further than last year’s fifth-round finish.
Tested by the Best
Greene Central’s nonconference schedule was grueling, with all five losses coming against championship-caliber teams, including Wallace-Rose Hill, J.H. Rose, Southern Nash, and Clinton. These tough matchups provided valuable experience and helped the Rams develop the resilience needed for postseason success.
“We’ve grown tremendously as a team,” Baird said. “Early on, we played some tough opponents, and although we didn’t always get the result we wanted, I would constantly tell them to trust the process. Those games prepared us for where we’re at now and for the teams we’re going to see in the future.”
Offensive Juggernauts
At the heart of Greene Central’s success is its lethal offensive duo of juniors Josh Osorio and Miguel Zavala, whose career trajectories have been nothing short of remarkable.
Osorio has made a meteoric rise this season, improving from 16 goals and 4 assists as a sophomore to 33 goals and 16 assists this year. His career totals now stand at 49 goals and 20 assists.
Zavala, meanwhile, has been a consistent scoring threat since his freshman year. He tallied 23 goals and 7 assists in his debut season, followed by 15 goals and 6 assists as a sophomore. This year, he’s matched his freshman output with 23 goals and added a career-high 16 assists, bringing his career totals to 61 goals and 29 assists.
Together, Osorio and Zavala have accounted for 56 of Greene Central’s 90 goals this season, showcasing a dynamic partnership that has been nearly impossible for opponents to contain.
Defensive Backbone
While the offense has garnered much of the spotlight, junior goalkeeper Erick Rodriguez has been the backbone of Greene Central’s defense. In 13 games, Rodriguez has allowed just 13 goals and made 103 saves, boasting an impressive 4.3 saves-to-goals ratio. His composure and shot-stopping ability have been crucial in the Rams’ run, particularly in the playoffs, where he’s recorded back-to-back shutouts.
The Rams’ defensive solidity was on full display in their playoff victories. In the first round, they blanked South Lenoir 5-0, with contributions from Osorio, Zavala, sophomore Angel Contreras, and senior Denilson Lopez. Rodriguez made five saves to preserve the clean sheet.
In the second round, Greene Central controlled the game against East Duplin from start to finish. Osorio scored twice and added an assist, while senior Adrian Acevedo chipped in with a goal. Rodriguez secured his second playoff shutout with four saves.
The Rivalry Renewed
Greene Central and Washington have a storied rivalry, having faced off 20 times since 2015. Washington holds a 12-8 edge in those matchups, but the Rams have turned the tide recently, winning seven of the last nine meetings. This season, Greene Central has handed Washington its only two losses: a dominant 4-0 win at home and a thrilling 3-2 double-overtime victory on the road.
“It’s very important to the guys,” Baird said of the rivalry. “I tell them before every game not to take anything lightly. After a good run last year, we play every game like it’s our last, no matter who the opponent is. It’s definitely a confidence boost heading into playoffs.”
With Washington entering the matchup at 20-2-1, the third-round clash promises to be another intense chapter in this rivalry.
Eyes on the Prize
Baird and his team are laser-focused on continuing their postseason success. “We worked some things out and figured out what works best for us,” Baird said. “I’m just so proud of the resilience they have shown all year, and yeah, we’re as ready as we can be.”
The Rams will look to leverage their home-field advantage, where they’ve lost only once all season, as they aim to advance to the fourth round.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Greene Central, where the Rams will aim to keep their championship dreams alive.
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