Durham Jordan's Teddy Mullin said he doesn't feel any added pressure this year after being named the Gatorade N.C. soccer player of the year in 2009 as a junior, but there is a sense of urgency surrounding the season.
"Our team really has been hyped the last few years, and we haven't delivered in the playoffs. We just haven't gotten it done," Mullin said. "We're seniors and this is our last shot. The goal is the state championship."
Jordan was undefeated and ranked among the nation's best high school boys soccer teams last season before losing to Green Hope 2-1 in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A semifinals. Jordan allowed just eight goals all season and had a string of 10 straight shutouts during the middle of the season.
The Falcons are 5-0-0 this season, including three shutouts, a 2-1 victory over Broughton and a 3-1 win over Green Hope.
"We're playing well," Mullin said. "We don't all play on the same club team, so we're a mesh of several club teams. We still are working on getting on the same page."
Mullin, who has committed to Wake Forest University, says his role as a midfielder is to make sure the team has a smooth flow.
"We play three midfielders, and we spread the ball around and help start the attack," he said.
Jordan faces another challenge on Wednesday when it plays East Chapel Hill (4-0-1), which is No. 2 in The News & Observer rankings behind the Falcons.
"It should be another good match," Mullin said.
East Chapel Hill tied Broughton 1-1 but has not given up a goal otherwise.
Bengals strong on defense: Fuquay-Varina, which is ranked No. 7 in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 4-A poll, has not allowed a goal while winning its first five games.
The Bengals' closest game this season is a 3-0 win over Sanderson.
Senior David Lane leads Fuquay-Varina in scoring with eight goals and three assists.
Scoring leaders: Senior Aaron Norris of Sanford Grace Christian leads all area scorers with 29 points on 13 goals and three assists. Norris has scored all but nine of the 6-3 club's 22 goals this season.
Derek Brewington of South Johnston and Chris Holmquist of Carrboro each have scored 10 goals this season.
More complete scoring leaders can be found at: http://www.news observer.com/content/ sports/highschool/curr/ top_numbers.html# Boys_Soccer .
Broughton schedule: Broughton (3-2-2) is in the midst of playing three straight teams ranked among the top 15 in the N.C. Soccer Coaches Association poll.
The Caps tied East Chapel Hill 1-1 last week, play Millbrook tonight and Leesville Road on Thursday.
Broughton is ranked No. 8. East Chapel Hill is No. 9. Millbrook is No. 12 and Leesville Road is No. 13.
Green Hope erupts: Green Hope, which had played four straight one-goal games, had an easier time in an 8-2 victory over Middle Creek on Wednesday. It had defeated Athens Drive 3-2 on Monday.
"It was nice to get a resounding win in conference play after our first game versus Athens Drive was such a battle," Green Hope coach Andrew Chadwick said. "Drew Altman got the hat-trick and several players saw the score sheet."
