Pender stuns No. 1 Kenan

WARSAW — Nelson Martel stood stunned.

James Kenan players disputed the midfield referee’s decision to no avail as he held the red card high in the evening sky.

“It was well-deserved,” the Tigers’ head coach said.

The controversial call infuriated James Kenan fans, who watched their squad scramble for 50-plus minutes a man down and suffer a devastating playoff elimination.

Pender prevailed 6-4 and earned a third-round date with ninth-seeded Midway in the 2026 NC High School Athletic Association Class 3A boys’ soccer playoffs.

Up 2-0 and seemingly in control, Kenan keeper Gio Lincona came off his line to challenge a Pender player one-on-one late in the opening half. The two players collided outside the box.

“The goalie came out for the 50-50 ball,” Martel said. “The Pender player got there first and he [Lincona] crashed into the player. He was the last man. [So] the red card was denying a goal-scoring opportunity.”

The 17th-seeded Patriots (10-14-0) converted the free kick.

Martel could feel the momentum shift.

“That set them up to win the game,” said Martel, who called upon Jose Cruz and Kaleb Gallegos to work between the pipes during the remainder of the tension-filled contest.

“I couldn’t have asked the guys for more. They ran ... did everything they could, but with 10 players there’s only so much you can do.”

Gerzon Diaz, Ronnie Ramirez and Ivan Covarrubias (one assist) each tallied a goal for the No. 1-seeded Tigers.

Pender had an “own” goal.

James Kenan concluded the year 16-4-0 and extended its postseason streak to 26 consecutive appearances since 2000.

“At the end, I just told the guys they don’t need to have their heads down,” Martel said. “They played an amazing season. It didn’t turn out how we all wanted. I think the loss was due to bad luck and things not going our way.

“I told them that if anything they needed to be proud of the players they’ve become and the support they have always received.”