Spring Creek trips up Rosewood in soccer

By Brandon Davis
Published in Sports on April 6, 2016 1:48 PM

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When it's time to step up -- step up.

Fernanda Martinez did.

The Spring Creek sophomore goalkeeper entered midway through the first half of Tuesday's game against Rosewood and suffocated the Eagles' strikers en route to a 2-1 victory in Carolina 1-A Conference action.

After senior goalie Kaitlyn Sullivan exited the game in need of stitches on her face from a kick, Martinez protected the goal and denied any shots from Rosewood senior Lexi Mercer and junior Payton Lane in the second half.

"We did a good game, having a girl down," Spring Creek head coach Carlos Borda said. "She (Sullivan) is one of the captains on the team, but the girls got brave and went on to the win."

The Gators found themselves down, 1-0, to the Eagles with 7:16 remaining in the first half. Freshman Mirna Santiago dribbled down the middle of the field and fired a solid kick past Rosewood goalkeeper Jala Holloman.

Payton Lane scored for the Eagles in the first half, but she and Mercer stepped up in the second to avoid trailing the Gators. Rosewood set up the offense and Lane passed the ball to Mercer, who dribbled into the box, but Martinez blocked the strong kick.

Still tied, Spring Creek sophomore Jordan Lane pushed the ball toward the Eagles' goal. Rosewood's defense moved closer to Lane until there was no one protecting the goal. Lane aimed and scored for the Gators.

The Eagles trailed, 2-1.

Junior Ada Rivera kicked just beyond midfield, but was stopped by Martinez. Payton Lane dribbled down the left side of the field and turned for the kick, but no score.

Five attempts later, and the Eagles experienced their third loss of the season.

"By far the toughest defense we've played against," Rosewood head coach Kevin Martin said. "The goalkeeper (Martinez) that came in for the injury, she was good as well. So good defense and good goalkeeper, too."

"We had planned this game like that," Borda said, who expected good offense from Mercer and Lane. "We knew that they are very good players, but we handled it. It was a very good game and a decent win."

The Gators (8-1-0 overall, 5-0-0 CC) face conference rival James Kenan today, while the Eagles (7-3-0, 4-1-0) travel to Neuse Charter on Thursday for conference play.