Eastern Wayne erases two-goal deficit
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 16, 2010 1:47 PM
DUDLEY -- The streak lives.
Eastern Wayne overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit for a 4-2 win over Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference rival Southern Wayne on Wednesday night. It was the Warriors' 35th consecutive regular-season triumph over the Saints.
After losing the shots-on-goal battle 8-3 in the first half, Eastern Wayne played the role of the aggressor after halftime. The Warriors consistently beat the Saints to loose balls and earned three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the second half.
Eastern Wayne held an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal during the final 40 minutes.
"We typically try to keep things calm at halftime and point out a small tweak here or there," said Warriors' head coach Jorg Wagner. "I thought our performance in the first half defensively was so poor that it got a little louder than normal. I think in the second half the boys came and played with a lot more intensity defensively."
Kyle Sasser scored in the 49th minute from the top of the 18-yard box to pull Eastern Wayne to within 2-1. Sasser tied the game in the 59th minute with a well-struck free kick that also came from the top of the 18-yard box.
"Kyle's second goal was absolutely brilliant," said Wagner. "It was in the upper 90 and unstoppable for the keeper. If nothing else works scoring wise, if you can fall back on a kid that smacks one in the back of the net from the top of the 18 that makes a big difference."
Ryan Allison's goal off Steven Taylor's assist in the 74th minute put the Warriors ahead for good. Taylor's goal in stoppage time put the finishing touches on the comeback.
Southern Wayne had its opportunities in the second half. Jose Rodriguez's shot in the 51st minute landed on top of the goal. The Saints had corner kicks in the 60th, 76th, 79th and 80th minutes.
Jesus Rodriguez's shot in the 79th minute sailed just wide.
"The ball just didn't go in," said Southern Wayne head coach Mario Aguilar. "I thought we looked tired in the second half. We had three games last week and a game on Monday."
Jesus Rodriguez gave the Saints the lead in the first half with goals in the third and 33rd minutes.
Southern Wayne (2-4-0 overall, 2-1-0 ECC) entertains Wilson Hunt today. Eastern Wayne (2-4-0, 2-1-0) plays host to Charles B. Aycock on Monday.