Prep soccer

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on October 6, 2004 1:55 PM

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Eagles end regular season with win over Johnston

Wayne Christian concluded regular-season play Tuesday afternoon with a 2-1 victory against Johnston Christian in Class 1-A Carolina Christian Conference action.

The Eagles (3-10-2) finished 3-8-2 in the CCC and will play host to a wild-card game in the conference tournament, which begins Friday. The tournament winner earns the league's automatic bid to the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs, which begin Oct. 22.

"We played with great heart and held on at the end for the win," said Eagles coach Dean Williams.

Wayne Christian broke a scoreless tie 20 minutes into the contest. Eric Williams ripped a shot that hit the crossbar, and Hayden Gardner played the rebound to the back of the net.

Williams assisted Jimmie Foss in the 38th minute to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead at halftime.

Johnston Christian trimmed the deficit in half with a goal in the 68th minute. The visitors led 3-0 in corner kicks and outshot the Eagles 29-15.

Wayne Christian keeper Ethan Ipock collected 20 saves.

Eagles upset

Chargers in CPIC

Richard Jared recorded the natural hat trick -- three consecutive goals -- in the second half and led Rocky Mount Academy to a 4-2 upset against No. 1-ranked Wayne Country Day on Tuesday afternoon.

It was the Chargers' first loss in five Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A Conference outings and just their third overall in 15 matches.

Not only did Wayne Country Day slip defensively in the second half, it lost its top scorer -- Sam Steed -- a mere two minutes into the game. Steed broke the radius bone in his left arm.

"It's a clean break and he is going to an orthopedic surgeon today," Chargers coach Michael Taylor said. "He's in a soft cast right now and there's a good chance he'll be back next week.

"We're not sure what's going to happen right now."

Wayne Country Day (11-3-1) notched the game's first goal in the 25th minute. David Wilson headed in a throw-in inside the 18 off an assist from Kevin Logan. The Chargers used the same play to tally their second goal, by Hyo Won Ha, in the 35th minute off another Logan assist.

Jared provided the Eagles' first goal three minutes into the second half. He added the game-tying mark in the 56th minute, and completed the hat trick 11 minutes later.

Taylor said the Charger defense failed to communicate when clearing balls inside the box.

Gib Alligood finished the scoring for Rocky Mount Academy in the 67th minute. The Eagles (6-5) claimed their first CPIC win in five tries this season and avenged a loss to the Chargers.

Wayne Country Day entered the game ranked No. 1 in the latest N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A poll. Four-time state champion Greenfield is second, followed by Ridgecroft, Waccamaw and Faith Christian of Rocky Mount.

Waccamaw is the only non-CPIC school in the top five.

Hawks, Pam Pack

battle to 0-0 tie

LAGRANGE -- North Lenoir and Washington battled to 0-0, non-conference draw after 80 minutes of play Tuesday evening on the Hawks' field.

"It was a very physical, hard-fought game," said North Lenoir coach Jim Montague.

The teams combined for seven yellow cards and one red card.

North Lenoir (7-3-2) entertains North Pitt at 6 p.m. today, while Washington (7-5-4) plays host to Southern Wayne.

Rec league

Wayne Christian 2, St. Mary's 1 -- Gregory Alexander recorded two goals for the unbeaten Eagles in 13-15-year-old play. Spencer Wise and Joe Carter each had an assist, while the Wayne Christian keeper collected 15 saves. Wayne Christian (4-0) plays Seymour Johnson on Thursday.