Havelock seniors set playoffs as goal

It's the stretch run, and for three Havelock High senior soccer players, the next seven games will determine success or failure.

"We want to get into the playoffs," said midfielder Lauren Littrell, who scored a goal in Havelock's 8-0 victory over West Craven Monday night.

That stretch run begins tonight when the Rams take on New Bern at 7 p.m. at New Bern High. The Bears beat Havelock 5-0 earlier this season.

"We want to beat New Bern," said defender Krystian Young. "They are our big rival, so we always want to beat them."

The Rams went 7-5 in the first half of the season and compiled a 4-3 record in the Coastal Conference.

Havelock starts the second half of its schedule with its two toughest games, against New Bern tonight and then against West Carteret at 7 p.m. Monday in Morehead City.

But then the Rams close out the season with four of their last five games at home.

"We play better at home," said senior Bethany Dinger. "Our fans help us a lot."

Coach Kate Wernersbach is hoping this team follows a successful pattern from last year, when Havelock played much better in the second half of a 14-3-1 season.

"Our toughest games always seem like they are early," she said. "We can then go back and work in practice and come back strong in the second half. That's what happened last year, and we hope it happens again this year."

Young said she knows her teammates are good enough to find that success again.

"We have a lot of talent," she said. "Sometimes, we just haven't played up to our capabilities."

The three senior captains say they are determined to end the season - and their careers - on a good note.

"Our success comes as a team," Young said. "It takes all 18 of us. We can't do it alone."