Sophomores Erin Cooper and Ashlie Morriss combined for five goals and two assists as Pinecrest won its Southeastern 4-A Conference opener 7-0 at Hoke County Monday evening.

Cooper scored the first of her four goals 13 minutes into the game off an assist by Abby Pierce. Morriss assisted on Cooper’s second goal and then converted a penalty kick after a handball by the Bucks in the penalty area to give the Patriots a 3-0 lead at halftime.

“It took us a while to get started,” Patriots’ coach Lorna Martin said. “People were getting leg cramps because of the cold temperature.”

Morriss also assisted on Cooper’s third goal. Cooper’s fourth goal was unassisted. She carried the ball down the left side almost to the goal line connecting from a very difficult angle.

Nikki Jones, another sophomore, scored her first varsity goal and senior stopper Aimee Wolf connected from long range to complete the scoring.

“It’s a good way to start,” said Martin of the conference opener. “Hoke has definitely improved. The score was not indicative of that.”

Patriot goalkeeper Jackie Bateman notched her second shutout of the season on a quiet night in the defensive third of the field.

It was another good night for the Patriot backline that has surrendered just one goal in three matches.

The Patriot junior varsity (1-1) defeated O’Neal 4-0 behind three goals by Sarah Reaser and one by Laura Cahoy. Goalkeeper Charlotte Bromwell and defenders Jackie Smith and Jenny Fields led the defensive effort.

Pinecrest (2-1) entertained Lee County last night. The Patriots will be idle from game action until Monday, March 19, when Seventy-First comes to Pinecrest. Hoke County fell to 0-2.