Cedar Ridge men’s soccer looked at its first road trip as a redemption mission.
On September 1, the Red Wolves dug themselves too deep a hole against Eastern Alamance at Red Wolves Stadium. Trailing 3-1 early, Sawyer Smith was able to score off a corner kick from senior co-Captain Noah Koehler, the Red Wolves had numerous opportunities to find the equalizer but never could.
The following night, Falls Lake Academy defeated Cedar Ridge 4-2 in Hillsborough. It seemed the the soccer gods weren’t friendly to Cedar Ridge, who suffered three straight home losses to start 2026.
On Wednesday night in Mebane, the Gods smiled.
Senior Ben Stephenson scored the first game-winning goal of his career to lead the Red Wolves past Eastern Alamance 3-1 in Mebane. Sophomore Luke Engel notched the opener for Cedar Ridge, which took a 2-0 lead into the locker room. It was Engel’s second goal of the year. He scored his first varsity goal in the loss to Falls Lake Academy.
After Eastern Alamance junior Marvin Mazariego scored the Eagles’ only tally in the second half, Luke Atkinson provided the closing goal to ensure the first positive Cedar Ridge result of 2026.
Smith and Julian Ashton each recorded assists for the Red Wolves, who improved to 1-3.
Senior goalkeeper Cameron Gillmore earned his first varsity win, making five saves over 64 minutes. Senior Grady Coleman replaced Gillmore in the 64th minute and closed out the game in net making one save.
Eastern Alamance, which has lost home games to Orange and Cedar Ridge in the opening month of the season, falls to 3-5.
In the loss to Falls Lake Academy last Tuesday, the Firebirds took a 2-0 first half lead. Engel and Dimas Jimenez scored for Cedar Ridge in the second half.
The Red Wolves will return from the Labor Day holiday to face Triangle Math and Science Academy, based out of Apex, on Wednesday night at Red Wolves Stadium.
