WCDS-Greenfield soccer

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on April 28, 2010 1:46 PM

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The Coastal Plains Independent Conference women's soccer championship is getting shipped across the Wilson County line this season.

Greenfield is the new owner.

Freshman forward Cameron Johnson punched in two first-half goals and the Knights cruised to a 3-0 decision over Wayne Country Day on Tuesday afternoon. Greenfield (10-3-1 overall, 7-0-0 CPIC) clinched the league's automatic bid for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs, which begin May 8.

The Chargers won the CPIC crown in 2008 and 2009.

"It's not a bad loss," said Wayne Country Day head coach William Hogan. "(It's) a good loss for us. I just hate that it's conference, but it's a good lesson for us to take and build on from here."

Greenfield controlled the tempo all afternoon.

The Knights organized their attack from the back, used the width of the field and kept the forwards -- Johnson, McKenzie Blackwell and Walker Finklea -- involved in the offense. Blackwell scored a second-half goal around the 57th minute.

"Our back five controlled the game, got the ball up and over the top to our wide midfielders, who played the ball to our forwards real good," said Greenfield coach Ben Forbes. "We did not do a good job of finishing, but the biggest reason is because of their keeper (Catherine Ford). She made some beautiful saves ... had an excellent game."

Ford collected 15 saves in the 80-minute affair.

The sophomore's absence in the midfield took away considerable possession for the Chargers, who struggled with transition from offense to defense. Junior stopper Kim Martell got caught in two one-on-one situations against Johnson, who converted goal-scoring shots in the ninth and 24th minutes.

"The defense just didn't want to listen today and I guess you're going to have those days," said Hogan. "I can't say enough about Catherine. They were hammering her from all angles. (Greenfield) is a good, quality team and they really tested her mettle.

"It hurt to put her back in the goal because she's the core of the midfield. Doing that helps us out, but doesn't save us."

Greenfield's defenders blanketed freshman Sara Best and sophomore Mack Thompson. Best had one shot, while Thompson didn't find an open seam toward the goal all afternoon.

The Knights owned a decisive 30-2 edge in total shots.

"I told our girls you have got to be aware of 2 (Best) and 22 (Thompson)," said Forbes. "You have to know where they are. Lose them for a second and they've got a goal. We did a very good job of keeping up with them, marking them and controlling the ball.

"We kept the ball in the center of the pitch and on their end."

Greenfield claimed its sixth shutout in CPIC play this season and ninth overall. The Knights earned their third straight victory over the Chargers and eighth overall in 14 meetings since 2005.

Wayne Country Day (9-6-1, 4-2-1) concludes regular-season play at home Friday against Oakwood. It's the final home contest for three seniors -- Georgia Tanner, Lauren Langston and Julia O'Donnell.