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SILER CITY — After a tightly contested first half, second-half adjustments lifted Jordan-Matthews (3-4, 1-0) to an explosive 7-2 win over Eastern Randolph on Sept. 4.
The rout over the Wildcats is the Jets’ largest win of the year so far.
Despite displays of frustration on the field after missing the mark on plenty of goal opportunities throughout the game, Francisco Ibarra still led the way with two goals. His first goal with just under 11 minutes left in the first half put the Jets up, 2-1, going into the break.
“It was pretty difficult because they kept marking the side I wanted to shoot from, so I had to apply my other side,” Ibarra said. “You’re not that comfortable in your weak foot, but I was able to keep using it. I think I got all of my goals on my weak foot.”
Jordan-Matthews controlled the pace and most of the possession in the first half, but it just couldn’t capitalize when it got deep into Eastern Randolph territory.
The Jets’ first goal came over 27 minutes before their second score in a wild sequence of events.
Less than a minute after Eastern Randolph’s Josue Ramirez Cruz shot from 40 yards out and dropped the ball in right over Jordan-Matthews goalkeeper Angelo Vera’s hand, Eastern Randolph goalkeeper Giovanny Perez saved a shot from Ibarra, allowing Cristian Tobar to rebound the loose ball and tap in the tying score.
“I shot it, and I lost my balance,” Ibarra said. “I tripped and I didn’t know what had happened. I get up, I’m looking for the ball, and I see the ball behind the net and him celebrating.”
Said Tobar, “I’m always ready for the rebound. That’s just me as a player.”
With the scoreboard not exactly reflecting the control Jordan-Matthews had over the game at halftime, the Jets honed in on “cleaning up” some of its first half mistakes and shortfalls, such as a lack of communication, an off-course playing style and poor finishing.
“We wanted to just open the game up when we’re on the attack and close it up tighter on the defense,” Jordan-Matthews coach Paul Cuadros said. “We were able to do that tonight definitely in the second half more than the first half, and it made the biggest difference in the world for us.”
Jordan-Matthews held Eastern Randolph scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the second half, and a more potent attack around the net led to two own goals by the Wildcats. One came in the fight for a corner kick and the other came after an Eastern Randolph player accidentally knocked the ball over its own goalkeeper’s head while fielding a Jordan-Matthews throw in.
With a 5-2 lead in the final 15 minutes of the game, Jordan-Matthews’ Samuel Basilio and Marvin Herrera put the finishing touches with goals of their own.
The Jets secured their third win in four games at the time of the victory and moved to 3-4 on the season.
For a young team that started the year 0-3, things are starting to look up as improvements become more evident. Jordan-Matthews challenged itself with tough competition early this season, learning lessons from its two losses to 4A opponents and a narrow defeat to the defending 2A state champion Franklin Academy.
“Taking on bigger competition with bigger schools definitely got them over the fear of how intense the game can be,” Cuadros said.
Ibarra said the team is finally playing as a “family” after having to jell a team full of new faces that didn’t have the most varsity experience coming into the season.
“We’re improving on our tactics, our skills with our feet, our communication and especially our connection as friends,” Ibarra said.
With the bulk of the conference schedule coming next for the Jets, Cuadros hopes his team’s newfound experience and the teaching points from its earlier bouts prepares it for another successful conference season.
Last year, Jordan-Matthews dominated its Mid-Carolina 1A/2A foes, going 12-1-1 in conference play and claiming the conference title.
Although this year’s squad is totally different than the 2023 team, the Jets are holding themselves up to the same standard as they look to defend their throne.
Following matchups with Northwood and North Moore on Sept. 9 and Sept. 11, respectively, Jordan-Matthews will host Southeast Alamance Monday at 6 p.m.
“We’re going to go into the conference season and hopefully have a really good result,” Cuadros said.
