Martinez collects decisive goal in Saints' home win

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 24, 2010 1:47 PM

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DUDLEY -- Battling cramps and tired legs, Southern Wayne held on for dear life.

The Saints withstood Spring Creek's late offensive barrage for a 2-1, non-conference victory at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex on Thursday evening.

Fenny Martinez scored the game-winning goal for Southern Wayne in the 65th minute with a long, bending shot from roughly 25 yards out.

"In the first half Fenny had about three opportunities and nothing happened," said Saints head coach Mario Aguilar. "In the second half he had three or four more, and eventually he was able to score."

The Gators pressured Southern Wayne's defense relentlessly during the final 15 minutes of the game. Multiple shots were blocked by Saints' defenders, and keeper Alan Nunez saved Antonio Avila's shot in the 64th minute.

"The last 10 or so minutes I tried leaving only one striker up top," said Aguilar. "We were battling cramps and everyone was trying to defend, but still, we had some guys who were tied. We're lucky to win this game."

Spring Creek couldn't convert on a corner kick in the 77th minute and Dante Ortiz's free kick in the 80th minute sailed over the goal. The Gators held a 7-3 edge in shots on goal in the second half.

"What can you do?," said Spring Creek head coach Paul Estrada. "Sometimes they go in and sometimes they don't. We probably had six or seven chances in front of the goal mouth that should have gone in and they just didn't."

Jesus Rodriguez scored off a rebound for the Saints in the 14th minute to tie the game at 1-1. Omar Zevala's goal off Ortiz's cross gave the Gators a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.

Southern Wayne (4-6-0 overall) entertains county rival Charles B. Aycock on Monday. Spring Creek (2-3-1) begins defense of its Carolina 1-A Conference championship Wednesday at Princeton.