C.B. Aycock tops Spring Creek

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 15, 2009 1:46 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Charles B. Aycock returned the favor.

And then some.

Nearly one week ago, Spring Creek erased a two-goal deficit and forced a 2-2 draw in Pikeville. This time, the Golden Falcons rallied from behind and earned a 3-2, non-conference win Monday afternoon.

Charles B. Aycock (6-1-1 overall) trailed 2-0 at intermission before Juan Pina's goal in the 47th minute trimmed the margin in half.

The Gators (4-1-1) failed to clear a loose ball inside the 18-yard box in the 77th minute. Jose Rodriguez collected the ball and slipped it past Spring Creek keeper Angel Sanchez to tie the game at 2-2.

Rodriguez's header into the back of the net off a corner kick from Chama Rodriguez in the 80th minute proved to be the game winner.

"We played really well in the second half," said Golden Falcons head coach Kevin Adkins said. "We had a little heart-to-heart about giving 100 percent to the team. I saw a lot of heart from the kids in the second half today."

Aycock trudged through the first half and struggled to move passes from its midfield to its forwards. The Golden Falcons lost the shots-on-goal battle 7-4 in the opening 40 minutes and were whistled for being offside on four different occasions.

That all changed after halftime.

A rejuvenated Aycock worked the ball down the sidelines and pressured the Gators' defense. The Golden Falcons held a decisive 9-3 advantage in second-half shots.

"I felt like in the first half we didn't give 100 percent," said Adkins. "In the second half, we gave 100 percent and we kept plugging away and kept plugging away. I think maybe a little bit of conditioning came into effect in the second half with the way we kept running the ball down the wings.

"I thought we played well enough to win the second half."

Antonio Avila scored twice for Spring Creek in the first half. Despite coming up short on Monday, the Gators will have plenty to build on after playing a pair of solid contests against arguably the best team they'll face all season.

"I wish the other 3-A schools the best," Estrada said. "I think we've proved that Aycock is infallible. For our little 1-A school to come out here and kick them all over the field makes me feel better."

Aycock is the guest of Rosewood on Wednesday, while Spring Creek travels to Southern Wayne.