Rosewood soccer advances to third round

By David Williams
Published in Sports on November 7, 2004 2:00 AM

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Rosewood used a rock-hard defense and took timely chances to make school soccer history Saturday night.

The Eagles beat Pamlico 3-1 in the second round of the Class 1-A N.C. High School Athletic Association soccer playoffs at Branch Pope Field. The win marks the deepest playoff push for Rosewood soccer ever. The Eagles will take on Lejeune in a third round matchup on Wednesday, with the Eagles making the trip to the opponent.

Rosewood had to fight from their own side of the field for most of the game.

The Hurricanes, the fourth-seeded team out of the Coastal Plains Conference, pressed the attack for the balance of the game. But Rosewood kept the visitors frustrated with solid defense from Kyle Bunn, Kenton Lowe and Tyler Daniels. Midfielder Brandon Heitpas was everywhere, heading away deep kicks and initiating offensive surges with timely passes slipped past the Pamlico defense.

Rosewood opened the scoring midway through the first half as Drew Kriger took a shot off a deflection from the left side of the penalty box that beat goalkeeper Jarod Fornes for a 1-0 lead. Pamlico answered ten minutes later as Kristian Bouw tore off after a headed ball that squirted between the Eagle defenders and towards Antell Richards in goal. Bouw tipped the ball by Richards and into the net.

Rosewood took advantage of a penalty in the box with six minutes left before the half. Hietpas took the shot, beating Fornes with a shot low and to the left the keeper stopped, but couldn't hold onto as the ball slipped out of his hands and into the goal.

Pamlico got a golden opportunity after Richards had to leave the field after a collision with a Hurricane player shortly before half. With Heitpas substituting in goal, the Hurricanes sent a corner kick towards the near post. Heitpas caught the ball in the stomach, which caromed off dangerously toward a Pamlico attacker. Heitpas chased out of goal and covered the loose ball, saving a sure goal.

Richards was stronger in the second half, not only making saves but with a strong kicking game that kept Pamlico attacking at midfield or deeper all evening.

Pamlico caught a break on a penalty kick with 12 minutes left to go. But Alex Hesler's try caromed off the crossbar and Rosewood hustled to clear ball from the penalty box on a play that confused Pamlico head coach Harold Self.

"When it hit the crossbar, I was just hoping we would clear the box before they got a foot on it." Mitchell said.

Rosewood got some insurance three minutes later as Heitpas passed the ball in front of the goal and over toward Joey Churchwell, who headed a try by Fornes for a 3-1 advantage.

"We've been a little inconsistent this year, but when we needed to we have stepped up and played well," he said. "We'll try and improve and go as far as we can go."