NNS Midseason Update: North Lenoir Soccer

Midseason Update: North Lenoir Soccer Preparing for Conference Play in New 4A Alignment

The North Lenoir Hawks enter a new chapter this fall, stepping into an all-4A conference for the first time under the latest NCHSAA realignment. After a 10-13-1 campaign in 2024 that included a first-round playoff win at Midway, the Hawks are still learning and building with a roster that returned nearly intact — no major seniors departed last year.

Through 10 matches, North Lenoir sits at 3-7 overall, but their record doesn’t tell the full story. With their conference opener against SouthWest Edgecombe on Sept. 16, the Hawks are about to see how they stack up in their new league.

The RPI system — now the sole factor in playoff seeding — gives North Lenoir reason for optimism. The Hawks currently rank No. 28 statewide (East and West combined) with a .451 rating, good for 11th in the East. Strong conference results would boost those numbers and keep them in postseason position.

Senior midfielder Maddox Smith has been the centerpiece of the attack, scoring 17 of the team’s 26 goals so far, averaging 1.7 goals per match with 39 points overall. Fellow senior Nery Aguilar has added 2 goals and a team-high 10 assists, while junior Richard Prado and senior Antonio Sombra have chipped in two goals apiece. Sophomore Jimmy Lopez and junior Brandon Cortez-Dominguez have also contributed offensively.

In goal, sophomore Evan Smith has carried the load with 84 saves across 10 matches, averaging 8.4 stops per game despite facing heavy pressure from non-conference opponents like C.B. Aycock, New Bern, and Clinton.

North Lenoir’s non-conference slate has been a test of consistency. The Hawks own convincing wins over Spring Creek (3-0) and Ayden-Grifton twice (9-1, 7-2), but have also been challenged by 4A programs such as New Bern and C.B. Aycock. Losses to Swansboro and James Kenan highlighted areas for growth, while narrow matches against Southern Wayne (3-2) and Swansboro (3-1) showed the Hawks’ ability to compete.

With the conference slate now ahead — including Washington, North Johnston, North Pitt, Eastern Wayne, and West Craven — the Hawks have the opportunity to prove themselves in their new classification. If Smith continues his scoring pace and the team finds more balance around him, North Lenoir could build on its RPI standing and return to the playoffs for a second straight year.