Upper-level soccer teams saw lots of action this week as the fall season shifted into high gear.

Sandhills Storm

Two storms collided in Clayton Sunday, but the Sandhills Storm blew away the Carolina Red Storm 8-0 in a U11 boys’ Challenge matchup.

Cameron Embler, Dustin Kavanaugh and Bryce Owen combined for a triple threat in the first half that produced goals for all three to give Storm a 3-0 lead at the break.

The flood came in the second half when most of the Storm roster got in on the attack. Michael Adams, Justin Mace, Morgan VanCamp and Dane Nelsen all found spots they liked in the back of the net. Embler got the bonus and his second goal on a second-period kick.

Defensively, Storm was perfect, with defenders Mark Bonville, Zach Herbst, Hayden Little and Chris Potter denying the Red Storm any opportunities for shots or goals and making it an easy day for the goalkeeping duo of Charlie Johnson and Bryce Owen.

The Storm took 20 shots on goal with nine coming from Dane Nelsen.

Storm takes on the Chapel Hill United Eagles Sunday when the Eagles come to town for a 2:30 p.m. match at Morganton Road.

Sandhills Magic

Sandhills Magic conjured up a 3-0 shutout against the Clayton Courage in Sunday soccer action at Morganton Road to keep its record unblemished at 2-0.

It wasn’t sleight of hand, but just solid Magic soccer that jinxed the visiting U11 girls’ Challenge club.

Keegan Lynch struck early, putting the Magic on the board at the five-minute mark with an assist from Lauren Corrigan. Corrigan’s penalty kick in the 37th minute disappeared into the back of the net to double the lead for the Magic. Julia Manchester’s goal three minutes later sealed the shutout for the home team.

Kendal Thomas and Maddie Haas led a defense that limited Clayton to just five shots on goal, while Lauren Bonville, Claire Epling and Riley Hasson led an offense that launched 15 shots for the Magic.

Magic keeper Sarah Dejak had a perfect outing with five saves and no goals allowed.

The home field advantage continues for the Magic this week as they host the Durham Chapel Hill United Sparks on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Sandhills Spirit

Challenge takes on an added meaning for the Sandhills Spirit this season as the squad faces the task of rebuilding a team that lost a lot of the lineup from last season.

Some promising newcomers and a nucleus of returning veterans are working on the formula that will produce success for the U15 girls’ Challenge squad.

That success eluded the squad Sunday as the team dropped a 5-1 contest with Fuquay-Varina Athletic Association U16 Lightning in Mid State Challenge League play.

Jennifer Waldrep provided the lone score for the Spirit with a solo run up the right side in the 45th minute of play.

Keely Harbour recorded seven saves in the goal

Spirit coach Jim Waldrep saw several bright spots for the team, citing the strong defensive efforts of Jenny Musser and Megan Lindsay, along with the offensive spearhead of midfield trio Lisa Hopkins, Jennifer Waldrep and Brittany Jay.

Spirit hosts the Durham Chapel Hill Cyclones at Morganton Road on Saturday.

Sandhills Ajax

Trevor Spurgeon’s hat trick ignited an offensive explosion that blasted the Piedmont Soccer Association Stars Red 6-1 to give Sandhills Ajax its first U11 Classic win of the season.

The Ajax attack was fast and furious with the first four goals coming in the first 18 minutes of play. Gray Anderson barely let two minutes tick off the clock before he connected off Mac Hamilton’s feed to put Ajax up 1-0. The net hadn’t stopped moving when Charlie Thompson pulled the trigger again to move Ajax to 2-0. Patrick Moore was on the spot with the assist.

Points started to pile up as the half played on and Spurgeon collected two of his three, first on a Richard Palmer assist, then off the boot of Dillon Taylor.

The lead established in the opening period settled the team into a cruising speed where it spread the work around in the second half with Dillon Taylor racking up an unassisted goal and Spurgeon rounding out the hat trick with assistance from Todd Hudson.

David Alphin kept the door closed in the goal for Ajax, allowing a lone goal while nixing the balance of PSA’s efforts.

Nat Joyner, Mac Hamilton, Patrick Moore and Barrett Goulden kept PSA on its heels through most of the game, bolstering a 14-4 shot advantage for Ajax.

The win moves Ajax to .500 with a 1-1 record as it prepares to take on Triangle Futbol Club Navy Saturday at Morganton Road.

Sandhills Strikers

Sometimes you win even when the score doesn’t say so. That’s how the U13 boys’ Classic Strikers felt coming off the field after Saturday’s contest with the Cape Fear Breakers Blue Saturday in Wilmington.

The score card showed a 1-1 tie, but the Strikers felt like the game had belonged to them.

Andrew Kirkpatrick crashed the net seconds after the opening whistle with the goal that might have been, only to have the score voided on a penalty. But Kirkpatrick was in on the action on the one that did count when he fed teammate Evan Cole, who delivered for the Strikers in the 50th minute for the tie.

The Strikers outshot the Breakers 13-8 for the match with Striker keeper Peyton Hayslette recording seven saves.

Next week is another road trip for the Strikers, who roll into Clayton looking to get into the win column against Carolina Goldstar Select on Saturday.

Sandhills Arsenal

Sometimes what you don’t know can’t hurt you. The U13 Sandhills Arsenal didn’t know that Gold star Premier was a new Raleigh area team made up of veteran players.

Once the introductions were made and the Arsenal settled down, the team found that it could play with the best.

Goldstar captured the tempo and momentum in the first half but only produced one goal. Staying cool under pressure, the Arsenal battled back and limited Goldstar to a single score before the break.

Arsenal came back after the intermission with some adjustments and a brand new plan. Defenders Austin Halstead, Ethan Cavanaugh and Dillon Cole closed down the Goldstar third and smothered the Goldstar offense. Dillon Maples proved effective on the transition, controlling and clearing and turning threats into opportunities.

The Arsenal evened the score early in the second half when Rob Wood zipped a quick cross to Aaron Stroker in the attacking third. Stroker connected to deadlock the match at 1-1.

Both teams produced some effective attempts to break the tie, but neither squad could find the key to the win forcing a 1-1 tie.

Arsenal goes against another Goldstar opponent this week when it hosts the U13 Goldstar Select team at Morganton Road in a Classic level contest.

Upper-level teams have a full schedule on tap for this weekend, with many teams set for both Saturday and Sunday matches. Home matches are played at the Morganton Road Soccer Complex.

Classic (Saturday Matches)

U18G - Sandhills Fury vs. Greenville Stars; U17G - Sandhills Sting vs. Carolina Cyclones; U14B - Sandhills Lightning vs. TFC Navy: U13B - Sandhills Strikers at Carolina Goldstar Select; U12B - Sandhills Arsenal vs. Carolina Goldstar Select; U11B - Sandhills Ajax vs. TFC Navy.

Classic (Sunday Matches)

U18G - Sandhills Fury at Jamestown Lady Jammers; U17G - Sandhills Sting at CRSC Carolina Courage; U15G - Sandhills Strikers at DCH Strikers Elite; U14B - Sandhills Lightning at FVAA Flash Red; U12B - Sandhills Arsenal at Carolina Goldstar Select, U11B - Sandhills Ajax vs. Greensboro SC Arsenal.

Challenge