WCDS-W. Christian soccer

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 14, 2010 3:05 PM

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It was intense, it was physical and it was controversial.

It was everything the Wayne Christian and Wayne Country Day soccer rivalry has become known for over the years.

Bryce Creger scored three times including the game-winning goal and the Chargers survived for a 3-2 win over the state-ranked Eagles on Monday afternoon.

Creger won the ball from Eagles' defender Anthony Mulligan across midfield and took several dribbles before beating Wayne Christian keeper Chase King to put Wayne Country Day in front 3-2 in the 79th minute.

"In the past two games I've put Bryce up front and he's like a little gnat up there," said Chargers' head coach Michael Taylor. "He has a nose for the ball. He came up with three crucial goals and he was in the right place at the right time."

The Eagles trailed 2-1 for the majority of the second half until Gregory Alexander tied the game in the 74th minute.

Wayne Christian appeared to tie the game at 2-2 in the 53rd minute. Wayne Country Day keeper Zach Brewer-Kirby jumped to grab a loose ball in the 18-yard box, but lost possession after landing on the ground. The Eagles gathered the ball and scored, but the officials discussed the play and eventually waved off the goal.

Wayne Christian (8-3-0 overall) also had a goal disallowed in the 23rd minute of the first half on an offsides call.

"When the keeper came down the ball popped out," said Eagles head coach Daryl Anderson. "I think they took one away from us and I think they took one away from us on the offsides call in the first half. We get called for offsides on a goal and they didn't, and I'm not sure what the difference was.

"We had our chances."

Jordan Crouthamel missed tying the game for the Eagles in both the 60th and 61st minutes with shots that sailed just wide. Crouthamel's shot in the 29th minute clanged off the post.

Wayne Christian employed an offsides trap defense in the second half. The Chargers (7-4-0) were whistled for seven offsides penalties in the second half and 13 for the game. King also went a long way toward keeping the Eagles in the game with 12 saves.

"We've worked on that trap for the last couple of years and we're getting pretty good at it," said Anderson. "Chase made some nice saves especially, in the second half with the sun in his eyes."

With Wayne Country Day's leading scorer Tyson Pearson moved to defense in the sweeper position, Creger delivered the offense. He scored in the third minute after collecting a loose ball inside the 18-yard box.

Alexander's goal in the 21st minute tied the game at 1-1.

Pearson controlled the Chargers' defense from his sweeper position. His individual battles with Alexander and Chase Darden were physical all afternoon.

Creger gave Wayne Country Day a 2-1 lead in the 29th minute off an assist from Trent Proimos. The Chargers finished with a 16-11 edge in shots on goal and an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Wayne Country Day travels to Oakwood today, while Wayne Christian plays host to Cresset Christian.