Game 4 Pinecrest at Lumberton Thursday, September 2nd, 2004 Alton G. Brooks Stadium, Lumberton, NC
(2-1-1)	1		2	(4-1-1)
Goals: Scott Phifer (PC), Aaron Stuart, David Cushing (LB) Assists: None Pinecrest        0    1  -  1 Lumberton      2    0  -  2
PATRIOT SOCCER TEAM FALLS TO LUMBERTON By Charlie Bergmann: Staff Writer, The Pilot, Appeared Sunday, September 5th, 2004

“It was a tough road game against a strong opponent, and we came up a little short.”      That was head coach Larry Martin’s comment on Thursday night’s soccer battle between Pinecrest and long-time rival Lumberton. The Patriots fell short 2-1 in their first loss of the season.      The loss dropped Pinecrest to 2-1-1. The Pirates moved to 4-1-1.      Lumberton, with one of its strongest lineups in recent years, found the net first when Aaron Stuart connected from 10 yards out to give the Pirates a 1-0 advantage in the eighteenth minute of play.      David Cushing’s long shot off the right side four minutes later left Pinecrest with a 2-0 deficit at the half.      In the second period, the Patriots got a tighter defensive grip that stopped the Pirate attack, but could not overcome Lumberton’s lead.      Scott Phifer’s header to the goal with three minutes left on the clock cut the lead to 2-1. But in the end, the clock became the opponent, with time running out as the Pats continue to attack.      “I like the character our team showed,” Martin said. “They didn’t quit, the effort and attitude were outstanding. We’re still trying to figure out the best combinations and we learned some more in this game.”      Martin is hopeful that his team will get a shot at a rematch in the postseason if both teams perform up to expectations during the regular season.      “We’re hoping for an opportunity to even the count,” he said. “The stakes will be higher next time.”      Pinecrest hosts Fuquay-Varina Friday, then jumps into Mid-Southeastern Conference action on Monday, Sept. 13, when Scotland County comes to town. Season:   Goals Scored: 8    Goals Allowed: 4     Overall Record: 2-1-1    Conference Record: 0-0-0 <-Previous 8-31-04 at South View (W, 4-0)              9-13-04 vs. Scotland County (W, 4-0) Next->