HARRISBURG, N.C. — If you think Hickory Ridge was going to be complacent with last year’s best-season-in-school-history success, think again.

The Ragin’ Bulls, despite losing a handful of college-bound players from last year’s unit that was the first of its kind to win a conference championship and make a regional final, are still aiming high.

So far, so good.

No. 25 Hickory Ridge is still unbeaten three weeks into a new season after defeating visiting Cuthbertson 3-1 on Wednesday. It was a big week for the Bulls, who also tied No. 11 Myers Park on Monday..

“It sounds kind of crazy but I’m harder on the team this year than I was last year. It’s not because of the potential, but it’s because I don’t want arrogance to seep into us,” said coach Sean Noble. “Our goal is not to be a one-hit wonder, our goal is to be like a Cutty, be like a Myers Park, be like a program I’ve always looked up to. Can we be a staple of soccer in Charlotte? That only happens if you have dedicated players.”

Hickory Ridge (5-0-1) got on the board first in the seventh minute on a Quinn Holland goal. Holland beat the defender to a ball from Brady Rodrigues and one-timed it past the keeper. That 1-0 lead held through halftime and most of the second half.

While Hickory Ridge, which was 17-3-5 last year, had better chances and more possession than Cuthbertson (2-2), which was 14-4-3 last year, the game had some tense moments in the last 15 minutes.

That’s when Hickory Ridge doubled its lead as John Lamb slotted home a failed clear in the 68th minute to make it 2-0.

Cuthbertson answered almost immediately, as Hayden Caldwell found the ball in a scrum and poked in a goal to make it a one possession game again.

Hickory Ridge scored an empty-netter with just seconds left to ease all fears. With the keeper out of the box and having cleared it right to him, reserve left back Kaleb Brown lifted a shot from 30 yards out into the side netting for the final tally.

Source: highschoolot.com