Game 21 Pinecrest vs Douglas Byrd Wednesday, October 23rd, 2002 John Williams Field, Southern Pines, NC
(17-2-2) (13-0-1)	9		0	(6-9-0) (6-8-0)
Goals: Scott Martin 2, Joe Burger, Gabe Bruno, Matt Capasso,      Doug Andrews, Brett Buckman, Brad Shinn, Stephen Lacher (PC) Assists: Brad Shinn 3, Joe Burger 2, Jonathan Gribben, Doug Andrews,      Will Carpenter (PC) Pinecrest         2    7  -  9 Douglas Byrd   0    0  -  0
SENIORS HELP PATRIOTS FINISH UNDEFEATED By Charlie Bergmann: Staff Writer, The Pilot, Appeared Friday, October 25th, 2002

Seven senior soccer players celebrated Senior Night at Pinecrest by making major contributions toward the completion of the team’s second undefeated conference season in a row.      The 9-0 victory over Douglas Byrd Wednesday gives the Patriots’ a 13-0-1 record in the Mid-Southeastern Conference. Counting four wins at the end of the 2000 season and 17 in 2001, the Patriots are unbeaten in their last 35 conference matches.      Tuesday, they complete the regular season with a game at Fayetteville Academy (13-5-2). This weekend, the Eagles will be playing for their fifth straight 2A independent school state title.      The Patriots get a bye in Wednesday’s first round of the state playoffs and entertain the winner of the New Bern-Jacksonville match on Saturday at 7 p.m.      Pinecrest, now 17-2-2 overall, seemed more intent on sharing the ball than making goals and that may have accounted for the slow start in the scoring department Wednesday. Coach Larry Martin’s squad led by just 2-0 at the half. But following the break, the weary Byrd defenders lost a step and the goals came in bunches.      “Tonight we just wanted to have a good game for all the senior guys,” senior defender Doug Andrews said. We are a pretty close-knit crew including the moms and dads.”      Andrews, who scored goal number six by finishing the rebound off his own penalty kick, exemplified the evening’s team play by sidestepping a pass in front of the goal and then calling for senior Brad Shinn to take the shot that became goal number eight.      “We have so many people on this team that are unselfish like that and want to work for other people instead of themselves,” said senior Joe Burger, who scored his 29th goal and is closing in on the single season and career goal scoring records for the school.      Also getting into the scoring column for the seniors were midfielder Bret Buckman and sweeper Matt Capasso, both on passes from Burger. Shinn was credited with three assists. In the closing minutes, there was an effort to link up with senior defender James Franklin, the only member of the squad not to score a goal during the season. The other senior, Chad Holmes, scored his first in Monday’s victory at Seventy-First.      “We were trying like crazy to get James one at the end of the game,” Andrews said. “If we had one more minute, I know we could have gotten it.”      The starting backline of Capasso, Andrews, Holmes and Franklin helped Pinecrest record its 11th shutout and 10th in the last 12 games. The Eagles (6-8) only shot came in the 70th minute. Capasso, who moved here from Maryland before his junior year, has been the anchor in the back since midway through the 2001 season.      “I’ve got good teammates and they trust me and I trust them — and we play well together,” said the co-captain along with Burger. “It shows in our record and in our two conference championships.”      Said Andrews, “We are leaving a good legacy and hopefully next year’s seniors will go after it and keep the soccer program going. It’s one of the best things we’ve got at the school.” Season:   Goals Scored: 116    Goals Allowed: 14     Overall Record: 17-2-2    Conference Record: 13-0-1 <-Previous 10-21-02 at Seventy-First (W, 10-0)              11-2-02 vs Jacksonville (Second Round, State Tourn. W 1-0) Next->