Middle Creek boys soccer shuts out Holly Springs

Middle Creek’s Colin Frie had the magic touch on Wednesday, and the Mustangs boys soccer team is used to that. The senior’s goal in the first half and assist in the second half lifted Middle Creek to a 4-0 home victory against Holly Springs.

Distribution and set pieces are a big reason why the Mustangs (15-3, 10-2) are in the middle of their best season in school history. Frie now has five goals and five assists this year, while Wallace, who added a breakaway in the 70th minute, has 12 and 11.

“We have a lot on the team and a lot of guys who can take set pieces and finish them off, and I’m thankful for that,” Frie said.

Connor Vance added the Mustangs’ final tally on an assist from Tyler Conrad.

Turning point

In the 19th minute, Frie’s 35-yard free kick was smoked into the upper 90, over the goalkeeper’s head.

“I’m just lucky I hit it clean,” Frie said. “I just focused on getting the ball over the wall and under the crossbar.”

Highlight reel

In the second half, Frie’s corner kick was met perfectly by Brad Van Hulst. Van Hulst did what all soccer players are taught to do but few can master: heading it straight down.

“We did the same thing against Holly Springs last time,” Frie said. “It’s a set piece we always work on and it’s something I’m glad we executed tonight.”

What worked

Middle Creek switched to a 4-4-2 since its last game against Holly Springs and the adjustment made this result much different than a 2-1 victory earlier in the season.

“We’re moving into the playoffs so we’re trying to not be stagnant,” Mustangs coach Guy Coleman said.

Needs improvement

Holly Springs (9-5-2, 6-5-1) had trouble maintaining possession against the Mustangs’ steady pressure at first, but evened it out as the game went along. The difference was finishing.

“This game, we got forward a lot but if you look at the stats we had 10 shots but only one on goal,” Holly Springs coach Joey Will said. “We just have to be better in that attacking third and unfortunatley we didn’t have it today.”

Feeling the impact

The Mustangs are still a game behind Apex for first in the SWAC. Holly Springs’ battle for third lost a bit of momentum, as the Golden Hawks now sit four games behind Green Hope.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 10:58 PM with the headline "Middle Creek boys soccer shuts out Holly Springs."