James Kenan hands Rosewood 3-1 loss in soccer

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 10, 2013 1:47 PM

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rhanchett@newsargus.com

Rosewood started out fast.

James Kenan finished faster.

The Tigers scored three unanswered goals and rallied for a 3-1 victory on the Carolina 1-A Conference boys' soccer scene Monday evening at Branch Pope Field.

"I thought we played much better in the second half as a team," James Kenan head coach Mitchell Quinn said. "We rotated some fresh guys in and I think that helped. It was good to see the guys that came in keep up the high level of play."

Rosewood jumped on top in the fifth minute with Than Truong drew a foul just outside the 18-yard box. Reed Howell took the free kick and fired a crossing pass to Zach Barnes, who headed the ball into the net.

The score remained 1-0 in the Eagles' favor until the 38th minute when James Kenan's Benjamin Rodriguez attempted a crossing pass that was deflected into the net by a Rosewood defender for an own goal.

The second half was played primarily in the Tigers' offensive zone.

James Kenan (3-1-1 overall, 2-0-0 CC) took the lead in the 57th minute when Mercedes Gonzalez found Edgar Benitez in front of the net. Benitez slid a shot into the net for a 2-1 advantage.

"As the game went on I felt like they had more and more of the possession," Rosewood head coach Eddie Maldonado said. "(Gonzalez) is a really good player, and he was able to direct traffic and get the ball to the right guys at the right times."

James Kenan got an insurance goal in the 79th minute when Efren Estrada out ran a pair of Rosewood defenders and fired a shot into the low right corner of the net.

The Tigers held a 10-6 advantage in shots on goal. Rosewood keeper Daniel Herring finished with six saves.

Rosewood (3-2-1, 1-1-0) visits Lakewood on Wednesday, while James Kenan plays host to perennial 1-A power Dixon.