Unbeaten Spring Creek gets off to sluggish start

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 9, 2008 2:00 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek just couldn't find the mark on its first 10 shots Wednesday afternoon. Attempts on goal missed from every angle with two hitting the crossbar and post.

Once the Gators scored their first goal, the offense flowed from there.

Edgardo Rangel punched in two goals and Antonio Avila notched two assists as state-ranked Spring Creek defeated Ayden-Grifton 5-1 in Class 1-A Carolina Conference play. The Gators improved to 8-0-2 overall and 1-0-1 against league opposition this season.

"We started off sluggish ... made the game harder than what it should have been," said Spring Creek head coach Johnny Galarza. "We had a hard game the other day (Monday), which I thought would wake them up. I have a couple of guys who are injured, so I think the chemistry wasn't there to start off with.

"But we started picking it up a little bit."

Raul Fuentes broke the scoreless tie 20-plus minutes into the opening half. He rebounded a deflection off an indirect kick and connected on a right-footed shot toward the lower right corner of the goal. Avila assisted on the play.

Spring Creek controlled possession throughout the first half and constantly pressured Chargers goalie Jack Dail, who finished with 10 saves. As time ticked away, Jose Vasquez delivered a beautiful cross to Avila in the penalty area. Avila headed the ball, which slipped into goal between Dail and the near post for a 2-0 lead.

Less than five minutes to the second half, Leonel Ramirez scored off Avila's assist. Rangel tallied back-to-back goals with the second coming off Jesus Sandoval's assist.

The Gators owned a decisive 34-3 edge in shots, but just 15 were on frame.

"Defensively, I couldn't be more proud of my kids and I know that sounds funny," said Ayden-Grifton coach John Moye. "We played defense most of the game and to keep them from scoring more than five goals, I couldn't be more proud of my kids right now."

Ayden-Grifton (1-5-0, 0-2-0 CC) avoided the shutout in the final 15 minutes. Antonio Lewis headed a ball toward Michael Baker toward the right side.

A sophomore, Baker rifled a one-touch volley into the upper right side of the goal to make it 5-1. The score denied the Gators their sixth shutout of the season.

"Michael kicked a rocket ... a beautiful shot," said Moye.

Spring Creek, ranked No. 9 in the latest N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 1-A poll, continues its three-game homestand next Tuesday against Rosewood.