From staff reports

Salisbury defeated North Davidson 2-1 in a hotly contested boys soccer match on Wednesday in Welcome.

The Hornets (7-4, 5-3) moved up in the congested Central Carolina Conference standings.

Sophomore Will Webb continued his coming-out party by finding senior Juan Salazar, who cracked a left-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box to get Salisbury on the board and provide a 1-0 halftime lead.

Webb found the back of the net himself on an assist from Christopher Portillo 10 minutes into the second half to double the Hornets’ lead.

“The shot was on target with a ton of pace  and was deflected, wrong-footing the keeper,” SHS coach Matt Parrish said.  “Things got crazy from there.”

Both teams were issued straight red cards (signifying a player’s instant dismissal from the game  for a single major foul or misconduct)  in separate incidents after the second goal.

Salisbury played a man down for several minutes before North Davidson’s card switched the match back to level playing terms.

“I think we were very fortunate to win,” Parrish said. “ There was a lot of physical play and some embellishment from both sides. North Davidson really took it to us the last 20 minutes. We gave up several opportunities that were nearly converted, but it wasn’t until a penalty kick with six minutes left that they scored. From there it was just holding on for dear life. They had all of the momentum and we barely survived.”

Salisbury played without Brayan Aviles and Dennis Anaya (injuries).

Next up for Salisbury is the completion of the first half of conference play on Monday night against South Rowan. The match is at Ludwig Stadium at 6 p.m.

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South Rowan’s soccer team won 4-1 against Central Davidson on Wednesday in a Central Carolina Conference match.

Eber Tapia scored two goals for the Raiders (8-5, 4-4).  Harrison Ward had a goal and an assist. Alex Fike scored a goal.

Parker Anderson made 13 saves.

HS girls tennis

Salisbury’s girls tennis team stayed on top in the Central Carolina Conference with a 9-0 win against North Davidson on  Wednesday.

Lillie Rusher, Meredith Burton, Margaret Thuman,  Abby Campion, Kate Burton and Ellison Frick won in singles for the Hornets.

Rusher/Thurman, Kate Burton/Meredith Burton and Campion/Frick won in doubles for the Hornets (11-0, 8-0).

Salisbury is home against South Rowan on Monday.

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West Rowan lost to South Iredell 5-4 in North Piedmont Conference action on Tuesday.

Lacy Waggoner, Mira White and Skylar Jahnke won in singles for the third-place Falcons (6-3, 4-3), and the White/Jahnke team won at No. 2 doubles.

HS volleyball

The NCHSAA record book lists only two assist totals higher than  Allison Ennis’ 66 for West Rowan on Tuesday.

• 80 Faryn Salazar (Hickory) vs. Watauga, September 16, 2013

• 73 Lia Johnson (Providence Grove) vs. Asheboro August 19, 2010

HS baseball

Davie senior catcher Aaron Williams committed to Catawba.

Williams batted .370 with nine doubles and 22 RBIs as a junior.

Catawba athletics

Keenan Tuck scored two goals and led Catawba’s men’s soccer team (3-2) to a 5-3 win against USC Aiken on Wednesday.

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Catawba’s women’s soccer team lost 3-0 to Columbus State on Wednesday.

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Tanner Bibey shot a career-low 67 and led Catawba to a fifth-place finish in the King Invitational on Tuesday.

College volleyball

Freshman Baleigh Hill (East Rowan) leads Barton with 91 digs.

Mid. school football

West Rowan Middle School’s Bulldogs got back on track  with a 38-14 victory over Erwin.

West running back Kamron White rushed for 155 yards on just six carries and scored four touchdowns. Another runner, Marquise Howell, piled up 87 yards on the ground.

The offensive line, led by Kayshawn Bombo and Hunter Miller, paved the way for White and Howell.

On defense, Diontaye Montgomery scooped up a fumble and ran 29 yards for another West TD.

Tyrin Little (seven tackles, three sacks) and Jose Hernandez (four tackles) also played well on defense for the Bulldogs.

West hosts Southeast today at 4 p.m. Former coach Erich Epps will be honored at halftime.

Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart’s middle school boys soccer team has begun conference play.

Against Immaculate Heart of Mary of High Point, the Dolphins won 4-3.

Braulio Mercado, David Austin, Jonah Sithong and Nick Loeblein scored goals.

   Patrick Beal played well in goal.

• Against Our Lady of Mercy of Winston Salem, Sacred Heart won 5-0.

Austin scored twice, while  Mercado, Alex Robinette and James Holland had a goal each.

Goalie Kaiden Dulkoski had his first shutout of the season.

•  Against St Pius Catholic of Greensboro, Sacred Heart fell 2-1.

Austin scored the lone goal.  Robinette played strong in the back.