Golden Falcons earn mercy-rule win over NL in soccer

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on March 16, 2016 1:48 PM

• Print
• Email

jhayes@newsargus.com

PIKEVILLE -- On a southern postcard spring evening, the Charles B. Aycock varsity girls' soccer team caught lightning in a bottle.

Twice.

The Golden Falcons scored three times in the opening six minutes, nearly duplicated their feat to begin the second half, and cruised to a 9-0 mercy-rule victory in non-conference action against North Lenoir on Tuesday.

Aycock improved to 4-1-0 overall.

Senior Sabrina Johnson and forward Hannah Spier opened the affair quickly, scoring two goals and missing another point-blank attempt before the powder blue faithful could adequately warm their seats.

It was a dominant start that would continue.

Time and again -- as if trying to settle a property dispute on the North Lenoir side of midfield -- Johnson and Co. broke up their opponents' advance, rifled a crisp pass to the wing and charged on goal.

And following a less-than-stellar performance last weekend in Wilson, CBA head coach Byron Adkins was pleased.

"We kind of dominated the middle," he said, "and played the ball up... and to have more productivity (on goal) was good."

Productive?

Try prolific.

The Golden Falcons -- who attempted 17 shots on the night -- were led by Spier, who scored in the sixth minute, then twice more in the 45th minute. Her final goal, registered at the 75-minute mark, closed the house lights on North Lenoir.

Johnson was also dominant, outrunning North Lenoir defenders and controlling every aspect of the pitch. For the evening, she netted a hat trick (three goals) and one assist. The senior has 10 goals on the season.

Aycock also received scoring from Lauren Smith and striker Kennedy Sherman, whose rifled penalty kick waved good-bye to North Lenoir keeper Kayla Moore in the 19th minute.

Freshman Savannah Strickland and halfback Alicia Stanton also registered assists for the host team, who refused to relent against an overmatched North Lenoir club.

"In games like this, you have to stay switched on all the time," Adkins noted. "It's about staying engaged, being aware of what's going on... don't rock yourself to sleep."

It was a comprehensive effort for Aycock, which visits county rival Southern Wayne on Friday. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m.