Spring Creek doubles up SW

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 13, 2005 2:00 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Not again.

That thought quickly raced through Gordon Crocker's head as he watched his Spring Creek players barely miss connecting on goals during the first 15 minutes against Southern Wayne on Monday evening.

Crocker felt like he was viewing a replay of last Thursday's season-opening game at Union. The Gators misfired on numerous attempts early and entered halftime scoreless. But they managed to generate some offense in the second half and eventually tied the Spartans.

"We didn't get off to a very good start at Union," said Crocker.

This time, after watching two shots clang off the crossbar and another sail inches left of the goalpost, the Gators finally found their mark. Four players combined for six goals, including two in two-minute span, in Spring Creek's 6-3 triumph against Southern Wayne.

The Gators (1-0-1) fired 39 shots on goal and claimed their first-ever, home-opening win in the program's four-year history.

The Saints departed 0-2-0.

Crocker couldn't have been more pleased with his team's ball possession and disciplined attack in the first 20 minutes. The Gators created passing lanes, worked the ball toward the sideline and extended the Saint defense.

Midfielder Chris Cohrs distributed passes well, mainly down the left side to either Darwin Aldana or Diego Rivera. Either Aldana or Rivera changed pace on the ball and dribbled toward center midfield to develop offense on goal.

Southern Wayne defenders attempted to stab at the ball and yielded considerable space, which allowed the Gators to get wide-open looks at the net.

"(Ball possession) set the tone the first half," said Saints coach Michael Wiggs. "The guys were going to the man rather than playing the ball. When we'd go straight at them, they would blow right by us.

"We need to learn to communicate, put forth the effort and not over-play situations, but reserve energy. We have to get going out of the gates earlier."

Spring Creek erased the scoreless tie in the 24th minute.

Cohrs gained possession of a loose ball, knocked it forward and out-raced a defender onto goal from the left side. Saints keeper Casey Best stayed on his line when several blue-shirted jerseys appeared poised to stop Cohrs.

Cohrs continued charging toward goal, dribbled through two defenders and booted a perfect strike toward the far post.

Less than two minutes later, the Gators converted their second goal in nearly the same fashion. Cohrs, again, recovered a loose ball and flicked it to center midfielder Rikki Best.

Best stepped over one defender and delivered a shot to the far post. The Saints' Best dove toward the near post and just missed making the glove save.

"We've got good players, I think at every position and we're solid," said Crocker. "(The two quick goals) is a tribute to our players, whose skill level is really high.

"They gave it all they had the first period."

Forward Alfonso Carachure concluded the Gators' first-half scoring with an unassisted goal in the 37th minute. Aldana picked up a loose ball and barreled his way down midfield before passing off to Rivera, who got free on the left sideline.

Rivera dribbled toward center and fired a shot toward the far post. Best made a high glove save that deflected toward Carachure, who one-touched the ball into goal.

Southern Wayne averted the shutout on Mario Segura's penalty kick early in the second half. Aldana and Carachure each tallied a goal for the Gators before Mario Aguilar collected an unassisted mark in the 69th minute.

Cohrs scored and Segura converted his second PK for the 6-3 finale.

Notes: Each team attempted four corner kicks and drew five offside calls. ... The Saints' Best recorded 13 saves, while Spring Creek keeper Trey Mills had two. ... Southern Wayne has been outscored 14-3 in two contests. ... The Gators will enjoy a nine-day layoff before playing host to North Lenoir on Sept. 21. ... The Saints are the guests of Wayne Country Day on Wednesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.