Rosewood soccer falls to Raleigh Charter

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on May 12, 2012 11:56 PM

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It wasn't a lack of effort that brought Rosewood's season to a close on Saturday evening.

It was a lack of possession.

Raleigh Charter dominated the possession and held the Eagles without a shot on goal in a 3-0 win in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs at Branch Pope Field.

The Phoenix (16-1) effectively controlled the ball, found open teammates in space and created scoring chances throughout the first half. Alexa Dreyer's shot in the third minute missed just high. A minute later, Elise Karsten also missed high before Kate Rhudy put Raleigh Charter in front 1-0.

Illana Green just missed extending the lead to 2-0 in the sixth minute as her shot missed high. The Phoenix held a 15-0 edge in shots on goal in the first half.

"They worked their passing and they are a good team," Eagles' senior captain Rachyle McAlduff said. "I feel like we could have done a little bit better but I give them their props. That was a good game. It seemed like they've been playing together a long time."

Morgan's solid effort in goal went a long way toward keeping Rosewood in the game. Morgan saved Rhudy's shot in the 15th minute and Dreyer's shot in the 28th minute. She recorded nine saves in the first half and finished with 10.

"Ellen played so well," McAlduff said. "We've worked as a team and I feel like this year we've really grown closer as a team. It's a tough loss but good look to them."

Rhudy collected a rebound off of Rachel Schwab's free kick from just outside the 18-yard box and scored to extended Raleigh Charter's lead to 2-0 in the 32nd minute.

The Eagles' best scoring opportunity of the first half came on a corner kick but Rosewood failed to tally a shot on goal.

Rosewood (9-6-2) struggled to work passes from the midfield to its forwards and found dribbling through Raleigh Charter's defense to be difficult.

Cassidy Bronack scored off Schwab's assist in the 66th minute to cap the Phoenix's scoring. Raleigh Charter finished with a 19-0 advantage in shots on goal. The Phoenix won their 12th consecutive game.

The Eagles finished the season by winning seven of their final nine games and earned a share of the Carolina 1-A Conference championship.