After an undefeated preseason, Carroll County’s boys’ soccer team opened the 2008 campaign with a 4-1 nondistrict victory over Patrick County in Hillsville on March 12.

Zack Edwards led Carroll County (1-1) with one goal and two assists, while Mikey Payne, Gustavo Mar and Asa Gravely all scored goals for the Cavaliers.

Carroll jumped out to a 3-0 halftime lead, with Payne opening the scoring off an assist from Edwards. Edwards dished out another assist on Carroll’s second goal, this time to Mar. Edwards was rewarded for his unselfish play later in the first half with a score off a Jorge Ramos assist.

Despite the big halftime lead, Carroll County head coach Marion Harris said the Cougars put up a good fight.

“It was a pretty evenly controlled game. At halftime it looked like we were dominating,” Harris said. “I went back at looked at the tape and Patrick County had as many opportunities and we had.”

The Cougars got on the board first in the second half, but Carroll answered with about four minutes remaining as Gravely took an assist from Roger Perez for the final score.

“It was good to start the season off with a dominant win, at least on the scoreboard,” Harris said. “We were passing well. We still didn’t finish as well as we should have, but it was not bad for the first game.”

Carroll also finished the preseason with a victory and two ties in three contests.

Rival Galax handed Carroll a hard-fought 1-0 overtime loss March 18 in a nondistrict contest in Hillsville. The Cavaliers actually outshot Galax 18-8, but the Maroon Tide knocked in the game’s only score in the 87th minute to earn the 1-0 victory.

“We had plenty of chances. The timing is just not there yet with finishing, and their goalie was just phenomenal. He won that game for them,” Harris said. “We were pretty solid all game defensively. We just let it bounce one too many times and they just took advantage of it, like any good team would do. Overall we had a good game. We just didn’t take advantage of what was given to us.”

Carroll is set to return to nondistrict action March 26 at Patrick County.

With Mar back for his fourth year on the varsity to lead an experienced team with nine seniors, Harris feels good about the Cavaliers’ chances in 2008.

“I’ve seen more potential from this team than any team since we won district (in 2005). We’re really coming together as a team and we’re really close as a team. I’m excited about this year,” Harris said. “I have 22 players overall and nine of them are seniors, nine are juniors, and three sophomores. Most of these guys have been playing together most of their lives.”