O’Neal School Sports

Golf:

“The Girls Varsity Golf Team is taking a brief respite from competition this week, eagerly anticipating the celebration of their two exceptional seniors, Audrey Kim and Lauren Kuhn, during their final home match of the regular season on October 17th against Carmel Christian School. Taking the time to focus on showing appreciation for the leadership and dedication these seniors have brought to the program, not only on the course but as role models for their teammates. The Falcons have had a successful season, and now they are gearing up for the state playoffs. While focused on this final home match, the team is keeping an eye toward an exciting postseason.”

Volleyball:

“The Sandhills Athletic Conference Tournament kicked off this week. The O’Neal Varsity Volleyball team, seeded 3rd, wasted no time making their presence felt. Hosting the tournament opener against Berean Baptist on Monday, O’Neal put a commanding performance together, securing a swift victory in three sets. Their seamless teamwork and unwavering determination ensured their progression to the semifinals. Next on their path to tournament glory was a showdown against Northwood Temple. 

The highly-anticipated semifinal matchup saw the O’Neal Varsity Volleyball team travel to Northwood Temple. The Falcons’ fierce determination was evident from the very start, as they blazed to victory in the first set with a score of 25-22. The second set presented a major challenge, with O’Neal overcoming a substantial deficit but narrowly missing out with a score of 20-25. While the final two sets may not have translated to wins on the scoreboard, the team’s spirit, energy, and camaraderie shone brightly on the court. What truly defines this remarkable team is their unwavering unity and support for one another, irrespective of the match outcomes. Their cohesion have been the driving force behind their success, proving that they stand together through every twist and turn of their journey. “

 Overall Record: 11-6 Conference Record: 8-4 

Tennis:

“The Girls Varsity Tennis Team finished the regular season with a tough 2-7 loss against Fayetteville Academy.  Ava Simmons won her singles match, 6-1, 6-2 and Sydney Davis/Rachel Wolff won their doubles match in a thriller tiebreak. We are proud of all our athletes who fought hard in a highly competitive match. 

The Lady Falcons had a strong season and will head into the state tournament next week with a 9-3 record. The state tournament details are expected to be released on Sunday, October 15, with match play starting Tuesday, October 17.”

Cross Country:

“O’Neal Cross Country traveled to Golfview Greenway in Hope Mills Tuesday for a Pre-Conference Meet hosted by Fayetteville Christian School. This was an opportunity for the runners to race on the course where the SAC Conference Championship will be held next week. The course provided rolling hills with grassy terrain and a great opportunity for fast times. 

Falcon runners used the course to their advantage and raced well.  The girls’ and boys’ teams had 1st place finishes.  The girls had 4 top 10 finishes - Grace Simpson 1st, Lauren Hobbs 5th, Ava Taylor Walker 9th, and Janna Caviness 10th.  The Boys Team had the following top 10 placements – Nathan Riefenstahl 3rd, Sam Schmitz 4th, Honor Hicks 5th, and Chris O’Melia 10th. Way to go Falcons! 

The following runners celebrated Personal Records – Aidan Blackwell, Honor Hicks and Charlotte Mills. In addition, Janna Caviness and Elizabeth Shank had season best times. Super big shout out to Charlotte Mills for dropping over 2 minutes off her time. Training and commitment has paid off for the Falcon Runners. 

There is a saying in Cross Country that “to run fast, you have to run fast”.  O’Neal Falcons will take that advice and look forward to an amazing Conference Meet.”

Soccer:

“Before the thrilling showdown between the O’Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team and Trinity Academy began, it was a day of heartfelt celebration as the team observed Senior Day. This special occasion was dedicated to honoring the invaluable contributions of six remarkable seniors who have left an indelible mark on the O’Neal soccer program. 

Boyd Kenny, Alex Martin, Will Slagle, Brennan Hodges, John Yonkovich, and Jacob Bates, each of these seniors has been an integral part of the team’s journey and success. Their dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the sport have not only elevated their individual skills but have also inspired their teammates. 

With this momentous celebration as the backdrop, an epic clash unfolded between the O’Neal Falcons and the formidable Trinity Academy, ranked #2 in the state. This nail-biting encounter left fans on the edge of their seats as it unfolded over two overtime periods, with Trinity ultimately securing a 2-1 victory. 

Boyd Kenny, a standout player for the Falcons, was brought down in the box, leading to the spot-kick. The responsibility to convert fell to Jacob Slagle, who showcased nerves of steel as he confidently slotted the ball into the back of the net. 

Trinity Academy, however, wrestled momentum away from O’Neal, equalizing with a well-placed header off a corner kick. The intensity of the game continued into the second half, with both teams fiercely battling for control and opportunities. 

A major factor in the Falcons’ resilience was their rock-solid defense, led by stalwarts like Oliver Oldroyd, Brennan Hodges, Jacob Graham, and Alex Martin. Trinity’s attacks were consistently repelled, and when they did manage to break through, goalkeeper Andrew Pavlovich stood tall. 

Max Pashley and John Yonkovich held down the midfield, expertly distributing the ball to the marauding forwards, Gavin Natt and Will Slagle. This midfield duo ensured that the Falcons maintained a strong presence in the middle of the park, setting up attacking opportunities and thwarting Trinity’s advances. 

As regulation time ended with both teams locked in a 1-1 stalemate, the game entered the thrilling realm of golden goal overtime. The first overtime period came and went with neither team yielding. But with only a few minutes remaining in the second overtime, the Falcons had a free-kick opportunity just outside the box. Hopes were high as the ball was whipped in, but it was headed out by a Trinity defender. In a swift counterattack, Trinity capitalized on the moment, racing behind the Falcons’ defense before they could react and scoring the decisive goal. 

Despite the heart-wrenching loss, the O’Neal Falcons demonstrated incredible determination, teamwork, and skill throughout the game.  

Next, the O’Neal Falcons Boys Varsity Soccer Team delivered a resounding performance in their conference tournament semifinal, securing a 5-1 victory over Northwood Temple Academy. While the scoreline may suggest a dominant display, the Falcons had to overcome a slow start and some occasional lapses in the game. Impressive teamwork and individual skills shone through for O’Neal, ultimately leading to a convincing 5-1 victory.”

Contributed/Photos by Wendy Hodges