Rosewood easily handles Hobbton

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on May 11, 2012 1:49 PM

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Hobbton wanted to take the air out of the ball and play for one goal.

Rosewood made sure that the Wildcats' strategy was not going to work. The Eagles scored a pair of first-half goals and rolled to a 7-0 win in the opening round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A girls' soccer playoffs on Thursday night.

The Eagles entertain Raleigh Charter (15-1-0 overall) at Branch Pope Field on Saturday. Kickoff is 6 p.m. for the second-round game.

"I thought we played a very strong game on both ends of the field," Rosewood co-captain Rachyle McAlduff said. "We kept pressure on the ball and we created some good chances for ourselves."

Rosewood opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Logan Bill redirected a corner kick off the foot of Samantha Allen into the net. The Eagles upped the advantage to 2-0 in the 25th minute when Bill found Cory Smith with a crossing pass and Smith drilled a shot past the Wildcat keeper.

The second half was all Rosewood.

Smith scored her second goal in the 47th minute. McAlduff made the score 4-0 in the 58th minute when she fired a penalty shot into the net. McAlduff added a second goal just two minutes later off an assist by Smith.

Rionna Allen scored to make the score 6-0 in the 71st minute and Bill closed the scoring in the 78th minute when she collected a loose ball in front of the net and buried a quick shot.

"We played Hobbton twice during the season so we knew what to expect," McAlduff said. "I think we were ready and there was no let down once we got the lead."

Rosewood out-shot Hobbton 17-2 on the night.

The Eagles (9-5-2) will need another spirited performance on Saturday in order to beat Raleigh Charter.

"I know that we have the talent," Eagles co-captain Marissa Hill said. "We just have to play our best game and bring that talent out. We know it will be a great test."