Last year Apex advanced to the first ever N.C. High School Athletic Association lacrosse state championship game, and the current edition of the Cougars are undefeated.

Sieber, a sophomore, found Friday's game to be even more fun, as the forward scored a personal-best five goals to lead Apex past conference foe Middle Creek 13-6.

Apex (7-0 overall, 6-0 conference) dominated the Mustangs in ground balls and shots, and Sieber and his mates capitalized on their opportunities.

"Our offense tonight just clicked," said Sieber, who recorded a four-goal game against a team from Maryland earlier in the szeason.

"It was a fun game, we put all our heads together and came out with a big win."

Apex head coach John Hayden was very impressed with his team's hustle, as evidenced by their winning the ground balls, but would like to see a crisper defensive effort from his group.

"We're hustling really well and doing all the intangible things, but we can't have those lapses around our own goal," Hayden said.

"Emil [Weiss] is playing outstanding in goal, but we've got to support him better."

Weiss finished with ten saves, and at least four of the Mustangs six scores came when defensive help did not come for the senior goalie.

Apex never trailed, although it led just 5-4 with 2:33 left in the first half. Jonathan Avedesian and Sieber each scored before intermission to give the Cougars a 7-4 halftime advantage.

Apex then scored the next four goals in the third quarter to erase any hope of a Mustang comeback.

Sophomore Derek Sweet scored twice for the Cougars, while Taylor Barrs had two assists, including a beautiful pass to Sieber on the sophomore's fifth goal.

Mustang senior Andrew McCauley scored a goal and notched three assists, while teammate Benjamin Doetzer added two goals. Goalie Alec Butler was kept busy and posted 15 saves.

"I think we can compete with Apex, but we need to do a better job in the ground ball battle," said second year Middle Creek head coach Paul Robison. "Our offense played well, it was just tough to get the ball up the field to them."

Middle Creek (4-2) is led by sixteen seniors. Its only other loss was a 17-16 overtime thriller against Holly Springs.