Eagles pick up senior day shutout

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 8, 2010 1:47 PM

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Fifth-ranked Wayne Christian got the senior day victory it was looking for, however, the ending was bittersweet.

The Eagles led 6-0 when Community Christian coach Justin Everly received a second yellow card and drew an ejection. The Cyclones didn't have a second coach listed on the roster.

The officials called the game and walked off the field with more than 25 minutes left in the Carolina Christian 1-A Conference contest.

"The explanation I got from the referee was that the other coach got a yellow card, and then he got a second yellow card and was ejected," said Wayne Christian head coach Daryl Anderson. "He was the only coach listed on the roster so they called the game. Whether that's in the rule book or not, I don't know. What was disappointing was they walked off the field with almost 30 minutes left on senior day."

The Eagles dominated possession and harassed the Community Christian defense all afternoon. Nathan Taylor's header in the third minute sailed just wide. Moments later, Jordan Crouthamel scored off a cross from Chase Darden.

Gregory Alexander's shot in the 12th minute was saved by Caleb Huston. Alexander's shot in the 20th minute was also saved and his shot in the 23rd minute sailed high.

Victor Kokiko beat Huston with a high shot into the top left corner of the goal in the 27th minute to extend the lead to 2-0. Alexander's shot in the 32nd minute sailed wide and his header in the 33rd minute was also wide. Chase Darden's shot in the 40th minute missed wide. The Eagles held a 14-1 edge on shots on goal in the first half.

"I've been working with our lineup trying to get it tweaked and I think I've finally got it to where it's working right," said Anderson. "They're starting to play more under control. We've just got to work on finishing."

Alexander extended the lead to 3-0 in the 43rd minute. Chris Smith collected a loose ball and slipped it past Huston to give Wayne Christian a 4-0 lead. Darden and Tyler Mooring also scored for the Eagles. Wayne Christian finished with a 19-1 advantage in shots on goal.

"We were unselfish today and that's the way a soccer team is supposed to be," said Anderson. "In the past we couldn't work the ball like we're supposed to."

Wayne Christian (12-6-0 overall, 10-2-0 CCC) begins conference tournament play on Tuesday at home against Northwood.

"We've never been past the second round in the state tournament and I'm looking to make it to at least the final four, if not the championship game," said Anderson. "The way I look at it, in the top six, anybody can win."