Steed feeds Charger scoring need

By Gabe Whisnant
Published in Sports on September 29, 2004 1:56 PM

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Going into overtime against Kerr-Vance Academy on Tuesday, Wayne Country Day boys soccer coach Michael Taylor reminded his team of the Spartans' recent struggles in overtime.

Last week, Kerr-Vance gave up three goals after regulation in a 4-1 loss against Faith Christian of Rocky Mount.

The Chargers added to the their opponent's woes by outshooting the Spartans 8-0 in overtime and claiming a 2-1 win at home.

With just over five minutes left in the first half of overtime, Wayne Country Day's Sam Steed booted in a long throw from the left sideline by senior captain and center midfielder Kevin Logan for the eventual game-winner.

Down the stretch and with the lead, the Chargers maintained most of the possession as Kerr-Vance rarely threatened the home team's goal.

"I had a feeling if we got one goal, they would go straight downhill," said Taylor, who celebrated his birthday Tuesday with a win. "I felt like we could capitalize on that goal, and in it would go our way. That last overtime period, their defense had their hands on their knees.

"I felt like we were the more conditioned team, but we need to be more conditioned, because it's going to get tougher from here on out."

The win improves Wayne Country Day -- ranked fourth in the latest N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A poll -- to 10-2-1 overall and 3-0 against Coastal Plains Independent Conference foes.

Kerr-Vance (4-7-1, 0-3) got on the board early in the second half when Atlee Watson received a throw-in, then smashed a left-footed blast from just outside the top of the 18-yard box into the upper right corner of the goal.

The Chargers battled through drizzly conditions and some physical Spartan play before equalizing later in the half.

With eight minutes left in regulation, Logan dribbled down the right sideline, cut down the end line, then crossed back into the middle and inside the box. The pass eluded several Kerr-Vance defenders, before Steed settled and shot past Spartan goalie Will Bowen to tie the game.

Steed's two goals gives him a team-high 21 on the season as the sophomore has posted six multiple-goal games. Logan has now dished out 15 assists and has six multi-assist contests.

"Logan is the leader of the team. When he is on, everybody feeds off of him," Taylor said. "Sam picked up his game, and when you get those two going we can be dangerous. Sam's got a nose for the ball and the goal."

The Charger defense -- Alex Proimos, Hyo Won Ha, Travis Davis, John Bridgers, Jun Suk and goalie Ryan Ford -- proved consistent against the Spartans. Kerr-Vance rarely succeeded on pass attempts through the heart of the Wayne Country Day defense.

The Chargers have given up just one goal in the last four games.

"These five guys communicate really well together," Taylor said. "They stick up and play for one another and cover each other's back. I finally found chemistry back there, and I think they've got it down now."

Wayne Country Day's offense, playing without injured second leading scorer Chris Reed, struggled out of the gate in a scoreless first half and never really got on track until Steed's first goal. The Chargers face another tough test on Thursday as they host Greenfield School, who is also 3-0 in conference play.

"Hopefully we can come out on top and that would give us a lot of confidence," Taylor said. "The momentum on our team is in our favor. We just have to go out and play the kind of soccer we can play."

Kerr-Vance 0 1 0 0 -- 1

Wayne Country Day 0 1 1 0 -- 2

Second half

KV -- Watson (unassisted), 38:30

WCDS -- Steed (Logan assist), 8:00

First half overtime

WCDS -- Steed (Logan assist), 5:30

KV WCDS

10 Shots 15

1 Corner kicks 4

1 Offsides 0

8 Fouls 3

Saves -- Kerr-Vance -- Bowen 6. WCDS -- Ford 7.