Warriors earn 1-0 win over Golden Falcons

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 31, 2009 1:46 PM

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Another classic.

County soccer archrivals Eastern Wayne and Charles B. Aycock staged an overtime thriller at Little Big Horn on Monday evening, and the Warriors avoided the ambush.

Reserve Amber Miller delivered the game-winning goal in the 97th minute in Eastern Wayne's 1-0 victory on the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference scene.

"I knew it was going to be a one-goal game, one way or the other," said Eastern Wayne head coach Jorg Wagner. "That's exactly the type of goal in an intense game like this that's going to fall ... a little mishit somewhere that somebody gets fortunate and puts it in.

"We were the fortunate ones tonight."

The Warriors (2-3-2 overall, 2-2-0 ECC) controlled possession in the second overtime and generated several shots on goal. Golden Falcons' keeper Courtney Sheeks (nine saves) managed to preserve the shutout, until a corner kick turned the tide.

Eastern Wayne worked the ball into the penalty area and fired one shot that was cleared by an Aycock defender. The congestion increased in the box and Miller, who entered the game just two minutes earlier, erased the scoreless draw.

"They put it in there ... had a play working, kept the ball pushed in and did exactly what they're taught to do," said Aycock coach Tom Zietlow. "It's unfortunate we had to lose like that. (One goal) is all it takes in these games and we always play to the death every time."

Each team had a chance to win in regulation.

Aycock junior Alicia Sodoma started the second half with a 20-yard blast that bounced just wide right of the goal.

Eastern Wayne missed two opportunities within an eight-minute span late in the second half. Janielle Daniel's shot deflected off the post, rolled across the goalmouth and into Sheeks' arms. Brandie Dean delivered a beautiful give-and-go pass to Danielle Daniel, whose shot ended up rolling wide left of the goal.

The Warriors owned a decisive 22-7 edge in shots during the 100-minute affair. Eastern Wayne keeper Deborah Doran stopped two shots and earned the shutout.

"In terms of intensity, I thought a tie would be fine," said Wagner, whose team is 2-1-1 in one-goal games this season. "I thought we had maybe a few more chances."

The biggest chance occurred in the second OT.

Miller became the fifth Warrior to notch a goal this season as Eastern Wayne ended a three-game skid where it compiled a 0-2-1 record.

The Warriors controlled the tempo in the first half and second OT, while the Golden Falcons kept consistent possession in the second half and first OT.

"We found a little bit of extra in the end," said Wagner.