APEX - The prospect of chugging on Interstate 40 for more than three hours in an activity bus isn't the ideal means of travel for most, but the Wilmington Hoggard boys soccer team will gladly do it again later this week.

The Vikings made the trip on Wednesday and defeated previously unbeaten Apex 2-0 in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Assocation 4-A tournament.

Hoggard will return either Friday or Saturday to face reigning state champion Broughton (24-0-1) in the quarterfinals.

"It's always difficult when you have to travel," Hoggard coach John Teller said. "It's always difficult for people from the beach.

"We come to Raleigh a lot of times for games and haven't fared so well, especially in the playoffs. We'll get back on the bus and come back up whenever it is."

Hoggard (19-1-1) earned its 16th straight win and 12th shutout of the season with the victory over Apex (18-1-2).

After a scoreless first half, the Vikings broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Eric Amato headed in a ball from Jeff Hunt.

Amato's header went toward the far post, and as the ball crossed the goal line, Apex defender Michael Forsyth got a foot on it, but the referee signaled a goal.

"I just got in behind it and tried my best to head it toward the goal," Amato said. "Luckily, I put enough power behind it and one of their players hit it in."

Apex couldn't get past Hoggard's defense all night, nor the 1-0 deficit. Hoggard goalkeeper Eric Hunt had to make two saves to earn his shutout, his biggest in the 69th minute.

Apex midfielder Ryan Duffy uncorked a bending free kick from 30 yards out toward the upper right-hand corner of the goal, but Hunt got a glove on it to keep the Vikings ahead.

In the 80th minute, Hoggard forward Bill Davis put the game out of reach with a breakaway goal.

"It seemed like it was just going to happen for them," Apex coach Kevin Todd said. "We had our chances too, but not to the extent we were putting any pressure on their keeper on a regular basis.

"We needed to pressure him, and we just didn't get that."