C.B. Aycock, Spring Creek battle to 2-2 draw

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 10, 2009 10:36 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- The win streaks continue.

But not without a little controversy.

Ricardo Rangel converted a penalty kick in the final five minutes of regulation and Spring Creek rallied for a 2-2, non-conference draw against Charles B. Aycock on Wednesday evening.

Rangel's goal enabled the Gators (4-0-1 overall) to extend their program-best, regular-season win streak to 16-0-3 since 2008. Meanwhile, the Golden Falcons -- despite the tie -- stayed unbeaten (21-0-1) against county opposition since 2006.

"I think they wanted it a little more than we did," said Aycock head coach Kevin Adkins. "We kind of laid down the second half ... didn't attack as well as we did the first half. When we did have good attacks, we should have scored off a couple of them.

"When you don't put the ball in the net, you don't win ... that simple."

Each team had 17 shots on goal.

None proved more crucial -- and disputable -- than Rangel's PK.

Aycock keeper Brandon Davis (10 saves) came off his line to go after a loose ball inside the penalty area. Davis got tangled up with a Spring Creek player and the far-side referee called a tripping foul.

Rangel lined up the ball and fired a low strike that skipped past Davis' out-stretched hands into the net. The PK capped the Gators' comeback from a 2-0, opening-half deficit.

"No use crying over spoiled milk," said Adkins. "You have to forget about it and move on."

Each team played to its strength in the first 20 minutes, but came up empty on several goal strikes. The Gators intercepted passes to disrupt the Golden Falcons' offense and double-teamed Alex Rodriguez every time the ball rolled into his area.

Aycock's Patrick Schultze played superb defense at stopper and Davis booted towering kicks that sailed past midfield to prevent Spring Creek from attacking on goal.

The scoring drought ended in the 21st minute.

Chama Rodriguez gathered a loose ball, dribbled into heart of the Gators' defense and one-touched a pass to Alex. Alex weaved his way around a Spring Creek defender and pushed the ball into the 18-yard box.

Gators keeper Angel Sanchez (five saves) came off his line to challenge and take away the near post. Rodriguez ripped a right-footed blast that rolled just inside the far post for a 1-0 advantage.

Juan Pina added Aycock's second goal late in the first half off Patrick Roosen's assist. Sanchez, again, came out of goal to defend and collided with his own defender as Pina's ball softly rolled beyond the goal line.

"I think his nerves came out a little bit in the first half," said first-year Gators coach Paul Estrada of Sanchez. "If he would have just come straight out and decided to either get the ball or pick up the foul ... slight hesitation on the line.

"You saw that happen in the second half when Brandon came out and we got lucky on it."

Spring Creek pulled within 2-1 before halftime.

"I feel like we had the lion's share of the possession and feel like we moved the ball really well," said Estrada. "Our forwards commanded the defense and we hung in there. I knew it was a matter of time before we pushed one through."

The teams meet Monday in Seven Springs.