Another tie for Aycock, Spring Creek on soccer pitch

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on September 20, 2012 1:49 PM

• Print
• Email

PIKEVILLE -- Rarely does a tie feel like anything other than a draw.

Charles B. Aycock and Spring Creek would tell you otherwise.

The Gators rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit and largely dictated play in the final 40 minutes to earn a 2-2 draw on Wednesday evening. It was the second time this season the two teams have tied and the third time since 2006.

The Golden Falcons generated the majority of the possession in the first half and created scoring opportunities early. Aycock faltered on corner kicks in the first and fourth minutes before Timothy Naughton's free kick hit the post in the ninth minute.

Spring Creek was whistled for a handball inside the 18-yard box in the 13th minute and Juan Pina's penalty kick put the Golden Falcons in front 1-0. Aycock pressured the ball when the Gators played it into space and limited Spring Creek's options on passes sent forward.

Collin Zacharzuk's cross found Jordan Abraham and Abraham's header past Gators' keeper Victor Ortiz extended the lead to 2-0 in the 21st minute.

"In the first half we had lots of energy and I saw stuff that we worked on," Golden Falcons' assistant coach Byron Adkins said. "We were up 2-0 and then halftime came. Every time halftime comes they think they are going to coast and they can't."

Spring Creek produced more possession in the second half and wasted little time cashing in. Aycock was whistled for a handball inside the 18-yard box and Ivan Lemus' penalty kick pulled the Gators to within 2-1 in the 46th minute.

"The penalty kick is what turned the game around for us," Spring Creek assistant coach Jeff Sullivan said. "To have that little bit of pick up to know that the boys had an opportunity to get back into it. They needed that."

Govan Avila's header in the 54th minute was saved by Golden Falcons' keeper Brandon Merritt.

The Gators earned four more corner kicks in the final 40 minutes and their midfield consistently fed passes up the field to attacking forwards. Brayan Lopez won the ball in the far corner of the 18-yard box and dribbled toward the goal before slipping a shot past Merritt to tie the game at 2-2 in the 69th minute.

Spring Creek (3-1-2 overall) had opportunities late to take the lead with three corner kicks in the final nine minutes.

"The guys worked the touch on the ball perfectly in the second half," Sullivan said. "We distributed the ball and we packed the midfield up pretty high and made a couple of things happen. Doing the things we did in the second half, distributing the ball well and having that touch on the ball helps us going into conference play."

Aycock (3-3-2) was held without a shot on goal or a corner kick in the second half.

"It is like we were dead," Adkins said. "You are up 2-0 and you should be able to close games out. This is frustrating to watch us play like that. Our midfield just went away."

The Gators play host to Southern Wayne today, while the Golden Falcons entertain Rosewood.