Aycock defeats Eastern Wayne 4-1

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 25, 2008 12:45 PM

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Rivalry games are generally no place for style points.

Second-ranked Charles B. Aycock's visit to county archrival Eastern Wayne on Wednesday night was no different. The Golden Falcons trudged through the first half before pulling away for a 4-1, Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference win at Little Big Horn.

C.B. Aycock struggled to finish offensive chances in the first half and was visibly frustrated at times. Alex Rodriguez was tackled inside the 6-yard box in the 28th minute but no foul was called much to the dismay of the Golden Falcons' bench. Moments later, C.P. Cranford was hit with a yellow card before Rodriguez had to be helped off the field and have his right ankle checked.

The visitors held a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal in the opening 40 minutes, but managed to put just one of those opportunities in the back of the net. Meanwhile, Eastern Wayne was winning loose balls in the midfield and growing more confident in the process.

"I think Eastern Wayne started out wanting it more than our guys," said C.B. Aycock assistant coach Scott Summers.

David Burke provided the Golden Falcons (12-0 overall, 4-0 ECC) with the spark they needed in the 39th minute as the junior sent a high bending ball into the top corner of the goal off a rebound from a corner kick. The blast gave Aycock a 1-0 lead that stood until halftime.

Rodriguez stretched the margin to 2-0 in the 45th minute when his shot from the top of the 18-yard box clanged off the post and past Eastern Wayne keeper Josh Olmsted.

The Warriors (2-5, 2-2) answered in the 51st minute when Benito Avila sent a crossing pass to Richard Riddle, who beat Golden Falcons' keeper Brandon Davis.

"Richard's goal was well composed and well taken," said Eastern Wayne head coach Jorg Wagner. "Aycock is a quick, physical team and it was a quick, physical game. If we can eliminate our mistakes we'll be in good shape. I thought defensively we stood real well."

Tucker Pearson deflected in a throw-in from Burke in the 62nd minute and Tyson Pearson capped Aycock's scoring in the 75th minute. The Golden Falcons finished with a 17-5 shots on goal advantage.

"Our guys kept fighting and they knew they had to play harder," said Summers. "They know they just have to play their game and our guys weren't doing a good job getting back on defense. Eastern Wayne played well today."