FUQUAY-VARINA - Fuquay-Varina soccer ended the regular season in third place in the Tri-Nine, the Bengals' best-ever finish at the 4-A level. The team won more conference games (11) this fall than ever before. And the Bengals were set to continue their winning ways through the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs - right up until they met one of the best teams in the state and nation in just the second round of the East bracket.

Durham Jordan, unbeaten and untied this year, is the top-ranked 4-A high school team in North Carolina and is currently ranked third in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. ESPN.com has the Falcons listed at the fourth team in the nation.

"They are a quality team," Fuquay coach James Mountford said of Jordan. "They didn't have any weaknesses."

Still, Mountford said the second round playoff match was one of the most competitive contests he's been involved with. The Falcons scored first on a penalty kick that resulted from a Bengals handball in the box.

But Tyler Bunn tied the score at 1-1 for Fuquay early in the second half on a penalty kick. Bengals forward Hector Valentin had drawn a foul in the box to earn the penalty.

But Jordan (21-0-0) managed to score the game-winner on a scrum in front of the net to survive and advance, 2-1.

"It was a great game," Mountford said. "It was one ofthe better games we've played in a long time. It was a championship-type atmosphere."

Fuquay had to play without two regulars, captain Aaron Schiappa and midfield playmaker, David Sizemore, who were sidelined by injuries. But Mountford's deep roster, led by a strong, seven-player senior class, knew how to compete.

"They brought a winning attitude to the program," Mountford said of the Class of 2010. "They were all part of our program for four years, and their attitude was kind of contagious. We just competed and felt like we could play with any team in the state. They've had the leadership to do what it takes to help the team succeed. They are very skilled, but also very determined. They never give up."

The Bengals arrived in the second round after posting a 3-2 first round win at home over Raleigh Leesville Road High (17-4-1). Valentin scored the game-winner in the 65th minute with an assist from David Lane.

This season marked the fourth in a row that Fuquay has qualified for the state playoffs. The Bengals finished 17-5-1,11-4-1 in the Tri-Nine.