GREENVILLE, N.C. — There was a winner and a loser between J.H. Rose and Manteo, but chances are both sides benefited from a late-season nonconference test with the girls soccer playoffs less than two weeks away.

For Rose, it has a confidence-building victory after knocking off No. 2 Manteo by a 3-2 score on Wednesday. The Rampants (12-3-1) entered the game unranked in the statewide top 25 but No. 4 in the 252 area code.

For the visiting Redskins (13-2-1) the loss could pay dividends as defending 2A state champions who hadn’t lost to an in-state team this year. Yet in Wednesday’s contest, Rose dominated possession in the first half, holding Manteo to almost 30 minutes between shots on goal.

Rose led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a 27th minute penalty taken by sophomore Zoe Zambardino after classmate Willow Price drew a foul in the box.

Manteo tied it up in the 66th minute as C.C. Lowe poked the ball over the goal mouth during a scrum in the box.

Things were heading for a tie in the last 10 minutes before back-to-back Rose goals put the game away. Price scored on a 72nd minute breakaway and Zambardino converted her second penalty of the game in the 74th to make it 3-1.

Manteo’s final goal was in the 78th minute as Kiley Eckard’s looping shot went over the oncoming keeper thanks to an assist from Abbi Calvio.

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Source: highschoolot.com