Warrior effort subsides in second half

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 18, 2008 12:51 PM

• Print
• Email

WILSON -- Eight minutes.

That's all state-ranked Wilson Hunt needed to turn back defensive-minded Eastern Wayne on an unseasonably cool Monday evening.

The visiting Warriors worked to a scoreless halftime draw, but their intensity slowly subsided in the second half. Hunt tallied three goals within an eight-minute stretch and claimed a 4-0 victory on the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference men's soccer scene.

"Four-nil is probably a fair score," said Eastern Wayne head coach Jorg Wagner. "Hunt were fabulous in capitalizing on those (second-half) chances ... were definitely the better team tonight."

The host Warriors (8-1-1 overall, 2-0 ECC) posted their second consecutive shutout against league opposition this season, and fifth overall. Hunt collected its sixth straight victory over Eastern Wayne (1-4-0, 1-1-0) since joining the ECC in 2005.

But for 40 minutes, the visiting Warriors refused to give in.

Keeper Josh Olmsted played brilliant in goal and stopped six shots. He benefited from two defensive back clears and Hunt misfired on a scoring chance when a shot clanged off the crossbar.

"I thought we played well defensively, held our shape very well and pressured well," said Wagner. "We even had the first chance of the game, which looked good. (But) we're not quite where we need to be in terms of transition play and that's where our problem lies right now.

"Our boys either play defense or play attack. There's not much in between and that's what's hurting us in terms of scoring goals. If we don't generate any attack, we're constantly under pressure and get no relief."

Hunt's defensive backs halted two Eastern Wayne shots in the first eight minutes. But Wagner's team managed just one shot on goal in the final 72 minutes of play.

"Our guys right now are so focused on defensive shape and position, they're not willing to come out and step up and support the attack," said Wagner. "We got through with five or six passes when we bring the numbers up ... move the ball quickly. The finishing wasn't there today, either.

"We never troubled their keeper."

Hunt controlled possession in the second half and finally broke the 0-0 tie in the 55th minute. Junior forward Aaron White ran onto a loose ball and created a three-on-two situation near the 18-yard box.

Olmsted (10 saves) crept too far off his line and White easily chipped a right-footed shot over his head into the empty net.

Four minutes later, White scored again on an assist from freshman midfielder Sam Hoeferkamp. Freshman forward Henry Orellana added a goal in the 63rd minute and White completed his hat trick (three goals) in the 74th minute.

"The first 20 minutes after the half are always difficult," said Wagner. "You're coming off an extremely hard effort and you had a little break, but the legs get real heavy. The goals were well-taken (shots).

"Our guys were out of position and couldn't catch up."

Hunt owned a commanding 21-3 edge in shots and 9-5 advantage in corner kicks. The teams combined for 21 fouls and six offsides infractions, including five by the host Warriors.

Eastern Wayne travels to Wilson Beddingfield on Monday.