Northern Nash moves on in NEW 6 Conference Tourney

June 13, 2008

By Chris Mizelle of Northern Nash High School


Northern Nash moves on in NEW 6 Conference Tourney

Tuesday, October 23, 2007
By Trevor Seibert
Telegram Correspondent

Northern Nash coach Joe McCarthy does not have an answer for his team's recent poor play in the first half.  The second half, thankfully, has been a completely different ball game.

Third-seeded Northern Nash started sluggishly again but won 7-0 against No. 6 Southwest Edgecombe in the first round of the NEW 6 Conference tournament Monday.

The Knights (14-3-3, 6-2-2 NEW 6) led by one goal after the first half, but another halftime speech by McCarthy led to a six-goal second half - four from J.J. McLaughlin.

"We were very flat in the first half," McCarthy said.  "We are not executing or playing the way wer are supposed to right now.  One we do, we are alright."

McLaughlin opened up the scoring in the second half with a goal in the 45th minute and added his other in the 56th, 87th, and 88th minutes.  McCarthy said he hopes the trend continues.

"Hopefully this boosts his confidence a little bit," McCarthy said.  "Anything to build his confidence going into the next game is a good thing for this team."

Northern Nash outshot Southwest Edgecombe (0-15, 0-10 NEW 6) 40-0 during the match.

"Our defense has been playing solid all year," McCarthy said.  "We just need to pick it up offensively."

Northern Nash will face No. 2 Wilson Fike at 7 p.m. today.

Northern Nash 7
Southwest Edgecombe 0

Goals: NN - J.J. McLaughlin (4), Trey Bunn, Adam Wesche, Isiah Gonzalez
Assists: NN - Adam Wesche, Brelan Cox, Isiah Gonzalez, Danny Congelli
Saves: SWE - Brad Killibrew 12