WAKE FOREST — The Heritage Huskies came out gunning in their first state playoff game Wednesday, scoring five goals in the first half and cruising to a 6-1 victory over visiting Richmond County in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A boys soccer tournament.

Junior Kidd Bottomley started things off by getting the Huskies on the board in the 2nd minute of play. He scored again in the 24th and completed his first half hat trick in the 37th minute.

Senior forward Tyler Van Hall added two first half goals for Heritage (14-6).

Having a versatile attack, led by Bottomley, Van Hall and freshman Logan Shytle, the Huskies never know where their points will come from on a given night, said coach Scott Sloan.

He added that getting a strong start in the playoffs was important for the young team.

“I told the guys, this is still a season of firsts,” he said. “Everything we do now, we’re setting records, we’re building tradition, we’re laying the foundation for the next group.”

The Richmond Raiders found the goal midway through the second half, but Heritage answered with a Colin Heimann score to cap off the first playoff win for the school’s soccer program.

With the win, Heritage was scheduled to host Holly Springs (13-8) in the second round Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

As the playoffs continue, the Huskies must remain focused on themselves and not the team across the field, Sloan said.

“For our guys, everything is new,” he said. “So it’s not about the opposition. We are our opposition, so we just have to focus and play our game.”

Grant: 919-829-4538