Chargers' offense clicks early against Cougars
By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 21, 2009 1:46 PM
This one ended quickly.
Bryce Creger scored in the first 30 seconds, finished with a hat trick (three goals) and Wayne Country Day crushed Flora MacDonald Academy 8-0 in a non-conference boys' soccer match Thursday afternoon.
It was the season opener for both teams.
Six players converted goals for the Chargers, who return seven starters off last year's team. Hil Tanner celebrated his 16th birthday with one goal and two assists.
Senior co-captain Cameron Ford, Jack Langston, Ryan Jackson and newcomer Tucker Pearson each tallied a single goal. Jackson dished out one assist, while Thomas Elmore notched two goal-scoring assists off corner kicks.
"We were very unselfish tonight," said WCDS head coach Michael Taylor. "Everything we've been working on in the preseason came true to form today. You didn't see us take the ball up the middle and cram (inside), but going instead outside to the wings with our forwards and midfielders crossing the ball, and making runs down the lines."
The strategy set up Creger's first goal and the Cougars never recovered.
Wayne Country Day (1-0-0 overall) posted four goals on the scoreboard in the first 10 minutes. Creger, camped near the back post, headed in an assist from Tanner to make it 2-0.
Ford and Langston, called up from the JV, each supplied an unassisted goal to complete the early offensive surge.
"That was great for Jack," said Taylor.
Tanner and Pearson, a senior transfer from Charles B. Aycock, teamed up for the fifth goal. Again Tanner floated a cross into the 6-yard box and Pearson, who was uncovered on the back post, headed it past FMA keeper Tyler Tew into the net. Tew finished with 13 saves on 29 WCDS shots.
Jackson ended the first-half scoring on Elmore's assist. Tanner and Creger each delivered a second-half goal to finish off the Cougars.
"The crosses we had ... that's the kind of ball we love to feed in there with our midfielders and backs," said Taylor. "They worked with each other well tonight. We were able to play a lot of guys tonight and they all got some experience. Plus we were able to rest a lot of legs."
The opener kicked off a stretch of three games in five days. Wayne Country Day opposes Franklinton today in The Brittany V, a two-day invitational in Wilson. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
The Chargers visit county archrival Wayne Christian on Monday.
"The road games will give us a chance to really see what we've got and how well we come together," said Taylor. "They're having fun out there and the coaches are having fun. I'm excited about this year, but it's a work in progress and we have a long way to go."