Rosewood blanks C.B. Aycock, 1-0, in soccer

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 12, 2012 1:49 PM

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Eddie Maldonado could not remember the last time Rosewood defeated Charles B. Aycock in boys' soccer.

Maldonado's memory got a lot clearer on Tuesday night.

Thanh Truong scored the game's only goal and the Eagles hung on for a 1-0 victory over the Golden Falcons in a physical, tension-filled game at Branch Pope Field.

"Our kids get up for Aycock," Maldonado said. "The boys know a bunch of the kids over there and it is a huge win. To beat Aycock is a big deal. I can't remember the last time we beat them, and it is a sign that we can come out and play with anybody we come up against."

Truong received a pass from Jyonte Raynor in the ninth minute and beat Aycock keeper Brandon Merritt to give Rosewood all the cushion it would need.

Aycock squandered scoring opportunities throughout the opening 40 minutes. Juan Pina's shot in the 14th minute sailed over the goal. Cody Ruhl's header off Pina's pass in the 28th minute missed wide of the goal.

The Golden Falcons (2-2-1 overall) failed to convert on two corner kicks and a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box.

"We did not have a lot of creativity offensively," Aycock assistant coach Byron Adkins said. "We gave a lackadaisical effort. We played a tough game at South Johnson (Monday night) and we have to get ready to get back into conference play."

The Eagles' defense withstood consistent pressure during the second half. The Golden Falcons appeared to have tied the game in the 43rd minute on a goal by Jordan Abraham off Pina's assist. The goal was waived off on an offsides call.

Rosewood keeper Daniel Herring made a diving save on Christopher Smith's shot in the 46th minute to help preserve the 1-0 lead. The Eagles (5-2-0) persevered through the physical contest, difficult calls and five Aycock corner kicks in the second half.

Herring tallied five saves and the shutout in goal.

"I thought our goalie had a really good game," Maldonado said. "I thought as a whole our defense did really well. We didn't give any wide-open shots. I think we got lucky with the offsides call. Other than that, I don't think we gave them any clean looks at the goal.

"We have a freshman, two sophomores and a senior back there but they work real hard."

The Golden Falcons play host to Cleveland today at 6 p.m., while the Eagles entertain Midway on Thursday.