Eagles top Dawgs in overtime

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 27, 2010 1:49 PM

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Missed offensive opportunities in regulation didn't come back to haunt Rosewood during overtime on a breezy Monday evening at Branch Pope Field.

Rachyle McAlduff made sure of it.

The sophomore midfielder converted the game-winning penalty kick in the first OT session, and state-ranked Rosewood blanked archrival Princeton 2-0. The Eagles (7-4-0 overall) claimed sole possession of the Carolina 1-A Conference lead at 2-0 with four regular-season matches remaining.

The Dawgs, the 2009 Carolina champions, exited 2-6-1 in all matches and 1-1 against league opposition.

Just 90 seconds into the first OT, Rosewood's Logan Bill ran onto a loose ball inside the 18-yard box and created a one-on-one battle with Princeton keeper Amber Brush. Brush, who charged off her line throughout the 100-minute affair, tangled with Bill inside the penalty area and the midfield referee called a foul.

"I don't know about the PK and it was disappointing to lose on the PK," said Dawgs head coach Tim Besel. "I wasn't given an explanation and coaches never are. You just have to trust that the official has a better angle.

"Sometimes, it goes your way on those and sometimes it doesn't go your way."

Hobbling after the play, Bill lined up the ball for the PK.

McAlduff stepped up and blasted a low, line-drive shot toward the right corner. It was McAlduff's fourth goal of the season.

"I wanted to put someone who was a little more experienced (on the PK)," said Rosewood coach Eddie Maldonado. "Rachyle did a great job, stayed composed and buried it for us. I was very pleased about that. I didn't want my girls thinking it was over (after the PK).

"We still had plenty of time left and my biggest fear once we scored that PK was they were going to let down, and Princeton was going to put one in the back of the net."

The Eagles (7-4-0 overall, 2-0-0 CC) pressured the Dawgs' defense throughout each 10-minute overtime. Brush (six saves) smothered balls inside the box and sent long punts past midfield that both teams knocked around as precious seconds ticked off the clock.

Gabrielle Cornman sealed the outcome with a goal in the 97th minute. The senior forward trapped the ball with her chest off a pass from midfielder Jennifer Liles, and fired a right-footed laser toward the far post.

Brush never touched it.

"That was just a well-earned goal," said Besel.

Brush and Rosewood keeper Taylor Johnson (four saves) each played shutout ball during regulation. Brush blocked four Eagle shots from point-blank range, while Johnson easily scooped up harmless scoring attempts on her end.

Johnson claimed her fifth shutout of the season.