Fearney's open-net goal lifts Aycock

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on September 29, 2010 1:47 PM

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DUDLEY -- Lady Luck nearly walked out on Charles B. Aycock.

Just when she appeared to brush off the Golden Falcons and end their phenomenal four-year mastery against county opponents, she had a change of heart.

She decided to stick with the fella she came in with Tuesday evening.

Michael Fearney collected two open-net goals, including the game-winner in the second overtime, and Aycock escaped Southern Wayne 2-1 on the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex pitch. The Golden Falcons kept their unblemished record (31-0-1) intact against county opposition since 2006.

"I just happened to be in the right place at the right time," said Fearney. "My friends gave me the assists and we all worked hard."

Fearney boosted his season goal total to six, while the Golden Falcons rose to 4-1-1 in games decided by two goals or less this season.

"We pulled the magic out of the hat again," said Aycock assistant coach Scott Summers.

Saints head coach Mario Aguilar felt otherwise.

The Golden Falcons drew 12 offside infractions during the 100-minute, Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference affair. Aguilar contended that Aycock was offside on its two goals.

The Saints' back line let two balls slip through and they anticipated the offside flag, but never got the call. Keeper Alan Nunez ventured near the edge of the 18-yard box on each play and left the net wide open.

Southern Wayne paid dearly.

Junior midfielder Billy Leggett assisted on Fearney's first goal with 71 seconds left before halftime. Fearney's game-clinching score occurred off Tyler Lynch's assist in the 98th minute of overtime.

"Our defenders let the ball go and I think Aycock was really offside," said Aguilar. "I talked to Alan at halftime and he said the reason he came out was because the guy was offside, and they (the referee) let it go. (Still) the team played pretty good with defending and they tried to do the best they can."

The Saints (3-7-0 overall, 2-4-0 ECC) notched the equalizing goal three minutes into the second half. Jesus Rodriguez dribbled into the box, got an open look and drilled a right-footed bender toward the upper 90 at the back post.

It was Rodriguez's 11th goal of the season.

The teams traded goal-scoring opportunities throughout the rest of the half. Aycock keeper Brandon Davis (10 saves) and Nunez (nine saves) tipped shots over the crossbar or smothered one-on-one opportunities to keep their respective squads in the game.

The Saints owned a 22-19 edge in total shots.

Aycock found some extra energy in the OT sessions. The Golden Falcons' midfield distributed the ball well, which allowed Fearney and Lynch to pressure the goal on several occasions.

"We seem to get into it more when we're in tight spots, which isn't good because we don't need to be in that tight spot in the first place," said Fearney. "We win when we have to."