Eastern Wayne shuts out Aycock

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on April 22, 2010 4:52 PM

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Eastern Wayne locked up the Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference girls' soccer championship with a 2-0 victory over Charles B. Aycock at Little Big Horn on Wednesday night.

The Warriors earned the win in familiar fashion.

The defense, led by keeper Danielle Daniel, pitched a shutout and speedy forward Brandy Dean ignited the offense.

"We only allowed one goal the entire conference season," said Eastern Wayne head coach Jorg Wagner. "Brandy gets a lot of attention because she scores a lot of goals, but our defense did a great job helping us win the league."

Slippery conditions helped the Warriors (9-4-0 overall, 7-0-0 ECC) get off to a fast start against the Golden Falcons.

Less than one minute into the game, a loose ball slipped through the hands of Aycock goalie Courtney Sheeks and rolled toward Dean's right foot. Dean buried the game's first shot in the back of the net.

"It makes it really hard when you have to try to play from behind," said Golden Falcons assistant coach Adam Livengood. "We knew what the field was like and a wet ball just got away from us. Things like that happen."

Eastern Wayne kept up the early pressure and attempted five corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the game. After weathering the storm, the Golden Falcons battled back with a push before the halftime break and neutralized the Warriors' attack.

C.B. Aycock's best scoring chance came in the 55th minute.

Elvia Rodriguez took a free kick from 25 yards out and fired a shot on goal. Daniel made the save and preserved the Warriors' 1-0 lead. Eastern Wayne missed a similar opportunity moments later when Lindsay Underwood's free kick clanged off the crossbar.

The Warriors put the game away in the 73rd minute when Underwood belted a second free kick into the 18-yard box and watched as Jenna Martin headed the ball into the net.

"That was a well-executed play on both ends," said Wagner. "I wanted our girls to be aggressive on balls that we were playing long and Jenna timed it perfectly."

Eastern Wayne tallied 11 shots to just six for C.B. Aycock. Daniel finished with five saves. Sheeks stopped four shots.

C.B. Aycock (10-6-2, 5-2-0) travels to Wilson Fike tonight. Eastern Wayne returns to action Apr. 28 at North Lenoir.