Wallace-Rose Hill takes control early

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 22, 2012 1:48 PM

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Soaked from head to toe with some covered in mud, Rosewood's players gathered near the scoreboard Tuesday evening.

Some hung their heads.

Others watched head coach Eddie Maldonado and assistant coach Daniel Mitchell make that long walk from midfield. They didn't need to hear any explanation of what just happened.

They knew.

Wallace-Rose Hill was the better team. Eight different players scored at least one goal and the Bulldogs rolled to a 9-0, non-conference victory on a soggy and slippery pitch.

"They were just a whole lot better than us," Maldonado said. "There was nothing that we could do. There wasn't a change that we could make ... just one of those things. Even the guys knew they were the better team ... probably the best 1-A team we'll see all year."

The Bulldogs (4-0-0 overall) constantly knocked the ball around and controlled possession throughout the contest. Each time the Eagles (1-1-0) tried to build an offensive attack, W-RH defenders stepped into open lanes and pushed the ball back upfield.

Maldonado marveled at his opponent's ability to transition well from offense to defense, and limit his front-line speedsters from getting touches on the ball. Rosewood attempted just one shot -- a long, 30-yard blast that sailed wide of the goal late in the second half.

Wallace-Rose Hill, which has outscored the opposition 27-4 this season, ripped off five shots in the first 12 minutes of the contest. One hit the crossbar, another clanged off the right post and Rosewood starting keeper Daniel Herring recorded one stop during that stretch.

Herring logged 12 saves on the day.

But the Bulldogs also connected on two early goals -- one from sophomore Carlos Gomez and the other from senior striker Sigurd Henriksen in the second and seventh minute, respectively.

Rosewood surrendered a penalty kick in the 24th minute. Herring, who played 50-plus minutes between the pipes, guessed right on Gil Escobar's shot, but lost his footing as he attempted to make a glove save.

Wallace-Rose Hill led 4-0 at the break.

"They beat us in the playoffs last year, but I told their coach at halftime they are much better than they were last year," Maldonado said. "They transitioned from offense to defense well. They picked the ball up and just ran it back down the field against our will.

"I told the guys if we see anyone better in 1-A this year, then they're going to be (a) real good (team)."

Freshman Zach Barnes replaced Herring and played the final 20-plus minutes in goal. He denied the Bulldogs' first two shots on frame, but permitted three more goals.

Keepers Josue Maldonado and Fransicio Mejia combined for Wallace-Rose Hill's first shutout of the season.