Staff report
East Rowan beat county rival South Rowan 6-3 at home in NPC soccer action Monday.
The Mustangs (7-6-2, 3-3) were again paced by Jan Garus, who scored three goals and added an assist. Taylor Owen contributed one goal and two assists.
A blast by Garus off a pass from Owen put East on the board first. Owen scored on a chip over the keeper’s head following a pass from Garus to make it 2-0.
A header by Nolan Rogers pulled South within 2-1, but Garus scored off a corner kick by Owens. Then Garus added a goal on a breakaway.
Goals by Jantzen Stirewalt and Andrew May pushed East’s lead to 6-1. May, a starting defender, subbed on offense and scored his first goal of the season off an assist by Robbie Barnes.
Lido Rivera scored two late goals for the Raiders (2-12, 0-5)
“Overall, our kids played well,” East coach John McNeil said. “We knew South would bring their ‘A’ game because they always do against us. Tonight we had the ball bounce our way more times than not and came out with a win. If Rivera handles the ball a few more times, who knows? The kid is talented.”