Warriors, Cougars, Golden Falcons compete in scrimmage

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 17, 2014 1:52 AM

• Print
• Email

rcoggins@newsargus.com

Questions were answered.

Other concerns surfaced during a three-team, preseason soccer jamboree involving county rivals Eastern Wayne, Goldsboro and Charles B. Aycock on a humid Friday evening.

The Warriors and Golden Falcons generated offense on a consistent basis and combined for six goals in 90 minutes of action. The Cougars had a couple of shots on frame, but endured a shutout in each of their 45-minute exhibitions.

The three teams kick off their respective 2014 seasons this week. Goldsboro returns to Little Big Horn on Monday, while the Golden Falcons are the guests of Wayne Country Day on Wednesday.

An undisciplined beginning against Aycock forced Warriors head coach Jorg Wagner to call his reserves into duty barely six minutes into the opening half. The starters received a brief -- and intense -- tongue lashing that not only calmed them down, but also sparked Eastern Wayne's first goal.

"We were extremely undisciplined," Wagner said. "You have to give credit to Aycock because they're a team that presses well. The time on the ball to make decisions is extremely short for us."

Late in the ninth minute, Henry Nelson leapt over the middle of the defense inside the 6-yard box and headed in a corner kick from Cameron Bou.

Chris Grieve, the Golden Falcons' top goal-scorer returning from last season, provided the equalizer in the 15th minute. A defensive misclear allowed Grieve to gain possession and fire a low strike toward the back post.

Aycock failed to convert a penalty kick in the 18th minute, but Grieve notched an unassisted goal in the 34th minute. The Golden Falcons owned a decisive 11-2 edge in shots and Warriors keeper Brandon Fossett logged three saves between the pipes.

"We have some new additions that are really helping us right now and we're way ahead of the game," CBA head coach Byron Adkins said. "I've got five or six new kids who can play at any given time. Our passing was OK, the fitness looked a little sluggish and maybe our shape, too, because we lost it when some of the younger kids came in.

"The pace of the game was excellent for us. We played really quick today."

The Golden Falcons blanked Goldsboro, 1-0. Hampton Tillman preserved the shutout with a diving glove save on Luke McAlduff's free kick in the final 10 seconds. The Cougars managed six shots, but couldn't convert.

Returning starter Dallen Edwards supplied Aycock's lone goal in the 11th minute.

Goldsboro, which graduated most of its offense, generated four shots on goal against Eastern Wayne. But head coach Rocky McAlduff also noticed that his new forwards played undisciplined and impatient, and gave the ball back to the Warriors on numerous occasions.

"With the experience we graduated out, we don't have the soccer knowledge to close it and pinch it," McAlduff said. "They did do it a couple of times, but we lost it and gave it back to them. We're reactive instead of seeing the field.

"That's easy to fix."

Ethan Zadrozny converted a PK in the 17th minute and Edwin Vallecilo came off the bench to score in the 42nd minute. Christian Anderson provided the assist.

Fossett, who missed some minutes due to an injury, and backup keeper Hunter Smith combined for three saves. Goldsboro goalies Jonathan Stevens and Luke McAlduff combined for three saves.

Wagner has plenty of notes to scribe after the exhibition. The Warriors' practices prior to the "in-game situations" were tactical and dealt with organizing the defense and offense, and keeping the ball on the pitch.

"Goldsboro sat deeper a little bit, did not press as hard and we looked better," Wagner said. "What I'm looking for in these scrimmages is do we have the tactical ability to move the ball and maintain possession, especially if we're up 1-0 with 15 minutes to go, can we play a game and carry it home?

"I'm definitely adding to my notes."