Wayne Country Day leads area soccer standings as conference races take shape
Wayne Country Day has the best overall winning percentage in the NNS coverage area, Jones Senior has reached double-digit victories, and Spring Creek and C.B. Aycock sit inside the top 10 of their respective NCHSAA classifications in RPI.
But overall records tell only part of the story. Greene Central and Wayne Preparatory Academy lead their published conference tables despite losing overall records, while North Lenoir has turned a winless start into a strong opening to league play.
Here is a look at all 17 varsity boys soccer teams covered across Wayne, Greene, Lenoir and Jones counties, including Ambleside Preparatory Academy and excluding Arendell Parrott Academy. Teams appear in order of overall winning percentage, with a tie counted as half a win. Records are wins-losses-ties and reflect results posted before September 29 matches. Conference positions are those published by MaxPreps, rather than a separate NNS ranking or certified playoff seed. RPI figures come from the NCHSAA's September 29 update at 10:57 a.m.; each rank is within the school's classification. N/A means no comparable NCHSAA RPI is available for that program.
Wayne Country Day
Overall: 11-2-0 | Winning percentage: 84.6% | Conference: 1-2-0, seventh in NCISAA Coastal Plain | RPI: N/A
The Chargers' 71-6 scoring advantage and nine shutouts underline their strong start. Wayne Country Day opened 9-0 and rebounded from a September 24 loss to Greenfield by beating Thales Academy Flowers Plantation 8-0 on September 28. Its two defeats, 1-0 against Harrells Christian Academy and 3-0 against Greenfield, both came in conference play. That leaves the area's overall leader seventh in the published combined Coastal Plain soccer table. Rocky Mount Academy on September 29 and Epiphany on October 1 offer opportunities to improve that position. The September 22 trip to Faith Christian of Rocky Mount was canceled for weather.
Jones Senior
Overall: 10-4-1 | Winning percentage: 70.0% | Conference: 1-0-0, second in Coastal Plains 1A/2A | RPI: .46636, No. 15 in 1A
The Trojans opened conference play with a 4-3 overtime victory at East Carteret on September 28, reaching 10 wins after a demanding stretch that included losses to Southwest Onslow, South Lenoir and West Craven. Jones began the season with six consecutive victories and has 61 goals in its 15 posted results. Its 1-0 league record places it behind 2-0 Lejeune in the published standings. Home matches against Pamlico County on September 30 and Lejeune on October 5 will provide an early measure of the Trojans' conference prospects. The win total includes a posted forfeit victory over Washington Montessori.
Spring Creek
Overall: 9-4-1 | Winning percentage: 67.9% | Conference: 2-2-1, fourth in Swine Valley 2A/3A | RPI: .59920, No. 9 in 3A
The Gators have paired one of the area's strongest overall records with a top-10 classification RPI. A six-match winning streak from August 24 through September 10 included victories over Southern Wayne, North Lenoir, South Lenoir and Greene Central. After opening conference play with losses to James Kenan and Midway, Spring Creek beat Rosewood 9-0 and Princeton 4-3 before drawing Wallace-Rose Hill 1-1 in double overtime on September 28. The Gators have outscored opponents 53-22. Their September 30 trip to Goldsboro brings together two teams trying to move above the middle of the conference table.
Eastern Wayne
Overall: 5-3-0 | Winning percentage: 62.5% | Conference: 1-2-0, fifth in Three Rivers 4A | RPI: .50850, No. 21 in 4A
Eastern Wayne has scored 42 goals in eight matches, averaging 5.25 per outing. The Warriors earned their first conference victory by beating SouthWest Edgecombe 7-1 on September 22 after league losses to North Johnston and North Lenoir. That scoring production has kept Eastern Wayne above .500 overall, but the next portion of its schedule presents a chance to strengthen its conference position. The Warriors host North Pitt on September 29 before visiting Washington on October 1. North Pitt enters the September 29 schedule atop the published Three Rivers table at 4-0 in league play.
Goldsboro
Overall: 7-5-0 | Winning percentage: 58.3% | Conference: 2-2-0, fifth in Swine Valley 2A/3A | RPI: .54038, No. 20 in 3A
The Cougars ended a two-match losing stretch with a 4-1 win over Princeton on September 28. Goldsboro has produced 47 goals, but allowing 46 has left little margin for error. The Cougars have yet to record a shutout in their 12 posted matches. Their September 30 home match against Spring Creek is a notable local matchup: both teams have a .500 conference winning percentage when draws count as half a win, although the published standings list Spring Creek fourth and Goldsboro fifth. A trip to Midway follows on October 5.
C.B. Aycock
Overall: 7-5-1 | Winning percentage: 57.7% | Conference: 2-1-1, second in Big East 5A/6A | RPI: .61227, No. 9 in 5A
The Golden Falcons hold the highest RPI value among the area's NCHSAA teams, illustrating why overall winning percentage alone does not determine that measure. Their posted results include wins over J.H. Rose and Richlands, and their conference schedule has produced victories over Hunt and Rocky Mount, a loss to Southern Nash and a draw with Northern Nash. Aycock beat Rocky Mount 8-0 on September 23 and has outscored league opponents 14-5. Fike on September 30 and a visit to Southern Wayne on October 5 are the next tests for a team positioned near the top of its conference.
South Lenoir
Overall: 6-5-1 | Winning percentage: 54.2% | Conference: 0-2-0, sixth in East Central 3A/4A | RPI: .50961, No. 28 in 3A
The Blue Devils won five consecutive matches from September 9 through September 21, beating Washington, West Craven, East Carteret, Jones Senior and Lejeune. Conference play brought a sharp change, with a 3-0 loss to Heide Trask followed by a 7-1 defeat against Clinton. South Lenoir remains above .500 overall, with 36 goals scored and 35 conceded, but is seeking its first league victory. Pender on September 30 and Southwest Onslow on October 5 are next on the posted schedule.
Wayne Christian
Overall: 6-7-0 | Winning percentage: 46.2% | Conference: 2-3-0, sixth in NCISAA Coastal Plain | RPI: N/A
The Eagles have won four of their last six matches and most recently edged Liberty Christian Academy 2-1 on September 24. Two narrow defeats during that stretch, 2-1 in overtime against Coastal Christian and 1-0 against Cape Fear Academy, show how close Wayne Christian has been to adding to its win total. The Eagles have a positive scoring margin, 35-31, despite sitting one match below .500. A September 29 meeting with John Paul II Catholic, which leads the published Coastal Plain soccer table at 5-0 in conference play, is an immediate test.
Faith Christian Academy
Listed overall: 3-4-2 | Winning percentage: 44.4% | Conference: 1-3-2, sixth in MACAA 2A | RPI: N/A
Faith Christian's published schedule shows an unbeaten start followed by four straight losses, most recently 9-0 against Christ Covenant. Community Christian on September 29, Gramercy Christian on October 1 and Trinity Christian on October 2 make up a busy upcoming stretch. There is a record discrepancy to flag: the September 4 win over Jacksonville Christian Academy appears on the varsity schedule but carries a “JV Game” note. This report retains MaxPreps' listed 3-4-2 total; excluding that entry would produce 2-4-2 and 37.5%. Its varsity status needs clarification, so the graphic labels Faith's record “listed.”
North Lenoir
Overall: 3-5-4 | Winning percentage: 41.7% | Conference: 3-1-0, second in Three Rivers 4A | RPI: .44518, No. 34 in 4A
The Hawks are one of the clearest examples of a team whose league position looks better than its overall record. North Lenoir began 0-4-3, but conference victories over SouthWest Edgecombe, Eastern Wayne and Washington have lifted it to second in the published Three Rivers table. All three wins came away from home. Its only league defeat was against North Pitt. Four draws have also shaped the Hawks' overall record, including a scoreless match with Greene Central. West Craven on September 29 and North Johnston on October 1 give North Lenoir opportunities to build on its conference start.
Rosewood
Overall: 4-8-2 | Winning percentage: 35.7% | Conference: 0-4-0, seventh in Swine Valley 2A/3A | RPI: .39961, No. 37 in 2A
Rosewood stood 4-2 after August 31 but has gone 0-6-2 since, including losses in its last five matches. The Eagles have scored five goals and allowed 30 in their first four conference contests, with the most recent result a 9-2 loss to Midway on September 28. Earlier draws with North Duplin and North Lenoir showed the Eagles could stay competitive, but finding a way to limit opponents' scoring is now central to a turnaround. Wallace-Rose Hill on September 30 and Princeton on October 5 are next.
Greene Central
Overall: 4-8-1 | Winning percentage: 34.6% | Conference: 3-0-0, first in Eastern Plains 2A/3A | RPI: .45468, No. 34 in 3A
The Rams have changed the direction of their season since conference play began. After entering league competition 1-8-1, Greene Central beat Tarboro 5-0, Kinston 13-0 and Ayden-Grifton 4-1. That is a combined 22-1 scoring advantage across three straight victories and first place in the published conference table. The September 30 home meeting with Farmville Central, which is also unbeaten in league play at 2-0, is a key early matchup. Greene Central's overall record remains below .500, but its conference start gives the Rams something substantial to build on.
Southern Wayne
Overall: 4-8-1 | Winning percentage: 34.6% | Conference: 3-2-0, third in Big East 5A/6A | RPI: .47792, No. 33 in 5A
The Saints recovered from an 0-6-1 start with four straight wins, including conference victories over Southern Nash, Hunt and Rocky Mount and a nonconference win against South Central. Their momentum slowed with a 2-1 overtime loss to Northern Nash and a 4-2 defeat against Fike. Still, Southern Wayne's 3-2 league record places it third in the published Big East standings. The October 5 home match against C.B. Aycock offers both a local rivalry and an opportunity to improve that position. Southern Wayne and Greene Central share the same overall record and winning percentage.
Wayne Preparatory Academy
Overall: 3-7-1 | Winning percentage: 31.8% | Conference: 2-0-1, first in Eastern Airborne | RPI: N/A
Wayne Prep has followed a difficult nonconference schedule with an unbeaten start to league play. A 2-2 draw with Riverside Christian Academy on August 27 was followed by conference wins over Alpha Academy, 3-2, and The Capitol Encore Academy, 4-1. Those results place the Generals first in the current published Eastern Airborne table. The posted schedule next lists consecutive meetings with Pine Springs Prep Academy on September 30 and October 2. Wayne Prep's league record is a more encouraging indicator of its recent progress than its overall scoring margin of 19-54.
Bethel Christian Academy
Posted overall: 3-7-0 | Winning percentage: 30.0% | Conference: 0-4-0, fourth in NCCSA A District 4 East | RPI: N/A
Bethel's latest posted win was a 3-2 victory over New Bern Christian Academy on September 11. Four reported defeats followed, ending with a 3-2 overtime loss to New Life Christian Academy on September 21. One result remains unresolved in the public schedule: the September 22 match against Heritage Christian Academy has no posted score. The 3-7 record therefore reflects reported results only, with no outcome assumed for that matchup. Raleigh Christian Academy on September 29 and Hilltop Christian on October 2 are next on the schedule.
Ambleside Preparatory Academy
Overall: 0-7-1 | Winning percentage: 6.3% | Conference: 0-6-1, eighth as listed in MACAA 2A | RPI: N/A
The Archers' lone draw came against Faith Christian Academy, 2-2 on August 28. Their latest result was a 3-1 loss to Community Christian on September 28, leaving them still seeking a first varsity win. Ambleside visits Pamlico Christian Academy on October 2 before hosting New Bern Christian Academy on October 5. Its displayed MaxPreps overall percentage is .000, but counting the draw as half a win produces 6.25%, rounded here to 6.3% consistently with the other teams. The conference position remains eighth as published rather than being recalculated for this report.
Kinston
Overall: 0-3-0 | Winning percentage: 0.0% | Conference: 0-3-0, sixth in Eastern Plains 2A/3A | RPI: .23189, No. 58 in 3A
The Vikings have three posted results, all conference defeats: 9-0 against Ayden-Grifton, 13-0 against Greene Central and 9-0 against Farmville Central. Kinston is still looking for its first goal and first victory of the season. Trips to Beddingfield on September 30 and Tarboro on October 5 are the next opportunities on its schedule. With only those three results reported, the available record provides a limited snapshot of the Vikings' season.
