Nash Central soccer downs Goldsboro

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on August 23, 2011 1:47 PM

• Print
• Email

Goldsboro fell into a trap on Monday night against Nash Central.

Head soccer coach Jim Phillips hoped that his young team learned its lesson.

The Cougars scored twice in the first half, but failed to hold the lead in a 4-2 loss. The four unanswered goals were a result of Goldsboro taking a defensive position and failing to keep any pressure on the Bulldog defense.

"I think I had 11 guys out there who were concerned with trying to protect the lead," Phillips said. "We didn't come out with the same level of explosiveness on offense and Nash Central kept the ball in our end."

Jeff Martinez opened the scoring for the home team in the 18th minute when he headed home a perfectly-placed corner kick off the foot of Ethan Minshew. Martinez increased the Cougars' advantage to 2-0 in the 36th minute when he and Minshew hooked up again, this time on a long ball into the 18-yard box that Martinez calmly deposited past the keeper.

Nash Central opened the second half with a new keeper change and the results paid immediate dividends. The Dogs' defense instantly improved and they were able to maintain possession.

Brad Taylor got the visitors on the board when he buried a shot off a rebound in the 44th minute. Tristan Miller tied the game in the 68th minute with a shot that came from a corner kick.

Nash Central took the lead in the 73rd minute on an unassisted goal from Zach Connor.

Goldsboro got its last scoring chance in the 74th minute when Martinez found himself in position to tie the game, but watched as his shot whipped just wide of the right post.

The Bulldogs put the game away in the 80th minute when Taylor tallied his second goal of the night.

"I like this team and I like the talent that we have at certain positions," Phillips said. "I just have to keep reminding myself that so many of these guys are sophomores and freshmen. We will keep getting better."

Goldsboro (0-3-0 overall) travels to Corinth-Holders on Wednesday.