ST. PAULS —It’s been a while since St. Pauls soccer coach Brent Martin has had a 13-win team, so it’s no surprise the message he gave his 13 seniors before Monday night’s Three Rivers Conference matchup against West Columbus.

“We were going for 13 for the 13. That was our theme for the night. There are 13 seniors tonight and the best record we’ve ever had at St. Pauls is 13-7-1,” a proud Martin said after watching his team reach the threshold in a 4-0 shutout over West Columbus.

The 13 key players of the Bulldogs (13-3, 9-3 TRC) won their seventh straight on senior night in front of elated friends and family. Martin calls the group one of the most successful in school history and they proved as much, scoring all four goals in their second win over the Vikings (3-11, 3-7 TRC) this season.

Senior forward Juan Martinez got the home team on the board quickly with a hit from outside the box that snapped the left side of the net. Fellow senior Alexis Mendez scored the first of two goals on a crisp strike after he found an opening to put the Bulldogs ahead 2-0.

Even with the big output, Mendez thought he should’ve scored more and couldn’t help but display some emotion when speaking about his final act in front of the Bulldogs faithful.

“I’m a bit sad…because it’s my last home and I ain’t going to be back next year,” Mendez said.

Mendez last goal in front of the home crowd was a fitting sendoff for a player that’s scored 48 goals the last two seasons. In the 78th minute, he broke free and brought goalkeeper Ryan Meadows out from the posts then fired a rocket from 25 yards to cap a 4-0 shutout.

Senior Sam Flores leads the team in goals and celebrated the night with a header that fell in the net in the 26th minute after a corner throw from Sergio Sanchez.

“I’m going to miss these guys. I’m going to miss the relationships with them and it’s going to be sad,” Martin said. “You can’t replace these guys.”

For Martinez, the 13th win for his 13 seniors was gratifying, but it’s not the final goal for one of the hottest teams in the conference looking to set a school record.

“If we come in with the right mentality, then we can see 15 [wins] very easily,” Martin said about the remaining schedule.

St. Pauls looks to extend its win streak against rival Red Springs on Wednesday before traveling to Whiteville on Monday in the regular-season finale.

South Robeson makes NCHSAA volleyball playoffs

ROWLAND — The South Robeson volleyball team was the lone Robeson County team to qualify for the NCHSAA state playoffs that start on Tuesday.

The Lady Mustangs (10-8) were awarded a No. 26 seed and travel to Three Rivers Conference foe East Columbus (13-5) for the 7 p.m. match. The seventh-seeded Lady Gators and South Robeson split the season series. The Lady Mustangs took the most recent meeting on Oct. 4 in five sets during a closing stretch where they won eight of their final 10 matches.

Deese completes first day at golf state championships

PINEHURST — Purnell Swett junior Madison Deese is in a tie for 71st after the first day of action at the NCHSAA 4A girls golf state championships contested on Pinehurst No. 3 on Monday.

On the par-70 track, Deese recorded a 102. She tees off at 8:18 a.m. on Tuesday in the final round with Catherine Vivongsy of Wake Forest and Glenn’s Kaitlin Idol.

Maria Atwood of Holly Springs leads the tournament after a 2-over-par 72.

Pirates upset Hoke at home

LUMBERTON — The Lumberton boys soccer team defeated Hoke, the second-ranked team in the Sandhills Athletic Conference, with a 2-1 home win.

Lumberton scored twice in the second half to top the Bucks with an unassisted goal from Edin Mejia and a penalty kick goal from Quinton Frederick.

Lumberton takes on Richmond at home on Wednesday.

In other county soccer action, Purnell Swett lost 3-0 at Seventy-First and Red Springs lost 6-0 at East Bladen.

Donnell Coley | The Robesonian St. Pauls senior Alexis Mendez dribbles past a defender in the team’s 4-0 win over West Columbus on senior night.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_medezdribble_ne2018102222369988.jpgDonnell Coley | The Robesonian St. Pauls senior Alexis Mendez dribbles past a defender in the team’s 4-0 win over West Columbus on senior night.

Donnell Coley | The Robesonian Seniors Alexis Mendez (8) and Juan Martinez (14) attack a volley during a 4-0 win over West Columbus on senior night.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/web1_Mendez_senior1_ne2018102222403020.jpgDonnell Coley | The Robesonian Seniors Alexis Mendez (8) and Juan Martinez (14) attack a volley during a 4-0 win over West Columbus on senior night.
St. Pauls wins 7th straight over West Columbus

By Donnell Coley

Staff writer

Donnell Coley can be reached at 910-416-5165 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Sportsinmyveins.