South Johnston scores three goals in 17-minute span at EW's expense
By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 1, 2011 1:47 PM
South Johnston didn't need two full halves to flex its muscle as an Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference title contender on Wednesday evening.
Seventeen minutes was plenty.
The Trojans scored three goals in the opening 17 minutes of a 4-1 win over Eastern Wayne at Little Big Horn. It was the ECC opener for both teams.
Erick Hernandez's goal off Derek Brewington's long throw-in into the 18-yard box got South Johnston on the scoreboard in the seventh minute. Jose Lueas scored a minute later off Brewington's cross. Lueas struck again in the 17th minute from just inside the 18-yard box.
"It's almost like we're not bringing the intensity early on and that's probably my fault," said Warriors' head coach Jorg Wagner. "In the past we were really good and coming out and being focused and starting things with the right intensity. When we dig ourselves a hole early, it's very difficult to climb out of."
Brewington beat Eastern Wayne keeper Jordan Ferguson one-on-one in the 35th minute to extend the lead to 4-0. Kyle Sasser's goal from 28 yards out just before halftime pulled the Warriors to within 4-1.
"That goal was huge," Wagner said. "I remember as a player you always thought from three goals down you can come back. Four goals down that's a little difficult. I think Kyle gave us a little momentum right before the half.
"I think you saw with our style of play with the boys keeping the ball on the ground and making our proper runs and proper spacing, that we can put some pressure on our opponents."
Eastern Wayne outshot South Johnston 3-2 in the second half, but failed to generate threatening scoring chances. The Trojans finished with an 8-6 advantage in shots on goal.
"We created a lot of half chances but nothing where I thought, 'oh my goodness, this really should have gone in,'" said Wagner. "We ended up a step too slow maybe. We're a relatively small team. If our passing is crisper maybe we get there."
The Warriors (0-5-0 overall, 0-1-0 ECC) entertain Cleveland on Sept. 7.