Rosewood falls to North Lenoir soccer

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 31, 2010 1:47 PM

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The fresher legs prevailed.

North Lenoir capitalized on its depth and claimed a come-from-behind, 3-2 non-conference boys' soccer victory over Rosewood on a hot, sun-splashed Monday afternoon.

Oscar Navasette's goal in the 79th minute off Filberto Gonzalez's assist capped the Hawks' comeback from a 2-0 deficit. Tyler Gray and Justin Shimer also scored for North Lenoir, which exited 3-2-1 overall this season.

Jonathan Franks provided the Eagles' two-goal advantage with unassisted strikes in the 48th and 53rd minutes.

"A great game," said Hawks head coach Anthony Kennedy.

And an agonizing one, too, for North Lenoir.

The Hawks attempted 37 shots and 10 corner kicks, and came up empty for 60-plus minutes. Eagles keeper Jacquez Raynor, in his first-ever varsity appearance, logged 13 saves between the pipes and benefited from a defensive back line that blocked numerous shots on goal.

"You've got to give credit to their defense," said Kennedy. "They had balls that they headed out of the goal. There were times where the goalie was out of position and a defender cleared the ball. Their defense played an awesome, awesome game."

Franks' two goals occurred out of the flow of play. Each shot squeezed between Hawks keeper Hunter Kornegay and the near post early in the second half.

Kennedy nearly subbed his entire starting unit after Franks' second goal, and the fresher players began dictating the tempo. The Hawks constantly pressured the Eagles' defense, which lost two starters to cramps for a short period of time.

Gray's unassisted goal in the 61st minute spoiled Raynor's shutout bid. Seven minutes later, Shimer knocked one through off Jake Monroe's assist to forge a 2-2 deadlock.

Raynor stopped the go-ahead goal a few minutes later, but couldn't keep Navasette from finding the back of the net. The quick-footed midfielder received a short cross from Gonzalez, and ripped a shot that deflected off the back post and into the net.

"They leaked in a couple of goals in the second half," said Rosewood head coach Daniel Mitchell. "Fatigue kind of set in there during the second half. They were able to run by us. He (Kennedy) played a lot more players than we did.

"I thought Jacquez played a great game. Our guys gutted it out and gave a good performance. I'm proud of the effort we gave for sure."

It was Rosewood's season-opening game.