The Roanoke Rapids Yellow Jackets men's soccer team hosted a 2A Northern Carolina Conference match Monday night at Hoyle field against the Franklinton Red Rams.

Roanoke Rapids (2-1) sits in third place in the conference standings after beating Franklinton 3-1.

Roanoke Rapids goals by: Tyler Smith 2, Cameron Wilson 1 with assists by: Emerson Escobar

Thomas Merritt had 14 saves in goal.

Post match comments from Roanoke Rapids head coach Craig Jean, "This was a major win against one of the top teams in our conference. Again, we didn't play the best 1st half; we went into halftime 0-0. We came out in the second half and put 3 on them. To say we play better in the second half isn't a coincidence anymore. We need to find a way to open the game with the same intensity and focus that we come out of halftime with. Thomas Merritt was great in goal tonight. He saved another penalty kick and was very vocal and took charge of his backs like I have been trying to get him to do. Tyler Smith has been a great weapon all year on set pieces for us. Tonight he stepped up and finished 2 from 35-40 yards out that gave us the lead and then sealed the game. We are definitely enjoying this run we are on to get us to 9-1. We look to stay rolling tomorrow night at home against another tough conference team, South Granville."