Goldsboro earns first program win
By Staff Reports
Published in Sports on October 29, 2009 1:47 PM
What a way to end the season.
Bryan Johnson collected the game-winning goal late in the first half, and Goldsboro nipped Princeton 2-1 for its first-ever boys' soccer victory in program history Wednesday evening.
It was the Carolina 1-A Conference regular-season finale for both teams.
Princeton (1-13-1 overall, 1-7-0 CC) logged the game's first goal in the opening six minutes. The Cougars tallied the equalizer when Alan Odom connected on a 40-yard free kick.
Twelve minutes later, Goldsboro converted its history-making shot. Johnson, who also runs cross country, received a through ball from Steven Richardson and punched it into the goal.
Odom and Johnson finished the season with three goals apiece.
First-year Cougars coach Tyler Gatlin warned his team at halftime that the Dawgs would increase the pressure. Princeton, which had nine extra players, substituted freely throughout the second half while Gatlin had just two reserves.
"It was a tough game and we were at a numbers disadvantage," said Gatlin. "Princeton kept throwing fresh legs at us and I knew they were going to do that. The boys just weathered the storm, hunkered down and took care of business."
Goldsboro keeper Matt Davis drew Gatlin's praise.
"Matt did an excellent job and had some phenomenal saves on balls that you'd think he wouldn't able to get to and then wondered how he got them," said Gatlin. "He played an awesome game and I am so proud of him."