For the first time in four years, New Hanover boys soccer is back in the state playoff quarterfinals.

The No. 3-seeded Wildcats jumped ahead early and never let up, holding off No. 11 Fuquay-Varina 2-1 at Legion Stadium on Monday, Nov. 10.

New Hanover’s opening goal came from senior Oliver Cook, who buried a close-range strike off a sharp cross from Tre Bennett in the first half. It was just Cook’s second goal of the season, but it came when the Wildcats needed a spark.

“It was kind of just a blur,” Cook said. “I just hit it as hard as I could. I knew the keeper couldn’t save it.”

In the second half, sophomore Keinner Martinez doubled the lead with a curling shot that deflected off the left post in the 58th minute. The Bengals, who ended their season 15-7-3, didn't go without a fight

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