Southeastern Homeschool boys soccer hosts first high school game in Wilmington since March

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The Southeastern Homeschool boys soccer team hosted the first high school sporting event in Wilmington in 174 days on Thursday evening.

Their home opener didn’t end with a victory, but the fact that the athletes have been able to get back on the field and compete against someone other than themselves certainly feels like a win. Many states have kept high school sports shut down since mid-March due to COVID-19. The last high school contests held in Wilmington before Thursday were on March 13.

“We thought we weren’t going to be able to play and they finally let us play and we’re all so happy,” Southeastern Homeschool senior defender Matthew Iandoli said. “I’ve been playing since I was three and this is my favorite sport, so it means a lot to be able to play my senior year.” 

While the N.C. High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) postponed all high school games until November, the N.C. Home Education Athletic Commission (NCHEAC) has allowed teams to begin competing. The N.C. Independent Athletic Association (NCISAA) and N.C. Christian Schools Association (NCCSA) are allowing their teams to begin games next week.

Southeastern Homeschool opened its season with a 3-1 road victory over Fayetteville Homeschool on August 20. On Thursday, they suffered a 3-0 loss to SW Wake Homeschool despite getting 13 saves from sophomore goalkeeper Davidson Good.

“Everyone is still a little rusty, but it’s really great to be out here,” Good said. “Everybody gave everything they could tonight and I’m especially proud of the guys in the back. We got a few chances up top, but I think what we need to keep working on is building out of the back more.” 

The Wolves opened the scoring in the 14th minute on a well-placed free kick. The score remained the same early into the second half before the visitors added an insurance goal off a corner kick. Their final goal came on a scramble in front of the goal.

Despite the loss, Cardinals (1-1) coach Ash Good was pleased with how his team performed.

“Really proud of the level we played at tonight,” he said. “To compete against a team from Raleigh, where their is a really deep player pool and a lot of talent, says a lot about our guys here and the effort they put in. We lost some seniors last year that left some holes that have started to get filled.”