Schlaeppi boots lone goal in win

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 9, 2009 1:46 PM

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The strategy paid off.

And Caroline Schlaeppi, again, benefited.

The junior midfielder supplied the game's lone goal early in the second half as Charles B. Aycock escaped county rival Rosewood 1-0 at Branch Pope Field on a cold, Wednesday evening. The Golden Falcons (7-5-1 overall) completed the regular-season sweep of the Eagles, who endured their fourth consecutive shutout loss.

Aycock played the non-conference contest without head coach Tom Zietlow, who has stepped down for the remainder of the season due to personal reasons. Assistant coach and Golden Falcon alum Adam Livengood called the shots from the sideline.

After each team missed first-half scoring chances, the Golden Falcons converted their sixth shot of the game in the 44th minute.

Samantha Parrish threw the ball into the box from the left side and the Eagles' defense cleared it with ease. Schlaeppi, who camped outside the 18-yard box, took one step toward the ball and fire a low strike to the near post.

The ball bounced past keeper Taylor Johnson, who got screened out on the play.

"The ball was banging around and Caroline was in position to put it in the goal," said Livengood. "We've really been working a lot in practice on those in-close situations. We've had too many teams score on us in front of the goal, so I was really happy to see us actually put one in."

Rosewood (5-5-0) just couldn't score.

The Eagles misfired on all seven shots and extended their scoreless streak to 320 minutes. Golden Falcon keeper Courtney Sheeks recorded six saves and earned her fifth shutout of the season.

Sheeks stopped a one-on-one breakaway in each half and intercepted a cross from Gabby Cornwall to Cory Smith 30 minutes into the first half.

"I don't know if it's a confidence thing with the forwards," said Rosewood coach Eddie Maldonado. "We get the ball up there and I don't know if they're nervous because we've missed (goals) the last four games. Defensively, we've played well and we've played well in the midfield.

"Scoring goals ... we've dried up."

Aycock claimed a 13-7 advantage in shots.

The Eagles conclude their pre-Easter schedule at home today against Southern Wayne. The Golden Falcons will enjoy a 12-day break before facing Kinston April 21.