BOYS' SOCCER: ECC 3A-4A leader New Bern blanks CBA

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on October 21, 2016 9:57 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- The Twilight Zone writer's room would have been proud.

New Bern, undefeated this season in Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference play, used elements of the show's signature fare to remain perfect on Thursday, turning back Charles B. Aycock, 2-0, on a Chamber of Commerce inspired evening along Highway 117 North.

The strange nature of the match shaped in the opening minute, as New Bern's first formed attack approached the penalty box.

Both sides converged. Players from both sides spilled to the pitch.

Deflections ensued.

On the other side of the melee, New Bern's Benjamin Johnson emerged, gaining just enough control of matters to flick a one-timer past Aycock glovesman Skyler Landers.

"It is what it is," said Aycock head coach Cory Worrell of the goal. "Things happen. The ball rolls a little faster when it's wet, I guess."

The setback didn't alter the Aycock game plan, however.

CBA responded with its trademark toughness, playing balls along the touchline and probing for possibilities in the middle of the field.

New Bern's back line, however, proved stingy. The Bears consistently muted powder blue attempts to get organized in attack mode, and often flipped position with a single boot.

Aycock's final scoring opportunity of the opening half came after the Bears were whistled for a handball with two minutes remaining, but the chance dissolved when David McIver's free kick sailed over the crossbar and into the west end zone.

And New Bern, ever attacking, took advantage.

The Bears launched a last-ditch assault against the clock, and with just 38 seconds remaining, found another Rod Serling-type outcome.

New Bern's Cristian Morales paced the touchline with speed, gathered a 50/50 ball in near the box and played a cross to junior Moe Eh, who then flipped a winner past Landers in the corner net.

Bookend moments of disaster.

New Bern 2, Aycock nil.

The second stanza would play out in contrasting form, with Aycock in full attack flight and New Bern in possession mode. Each did its best to create a game-defining imprint, with honors in that category going to Bears' keeper Ryan Heidt.

The junior twice stoned Aycock from point-blank range in the 47th minute, punching away a shot in dense traffic and plucking a header from the air that sent the Pikeville crowd into a frenzy.

His brilliant bit of glovework thwarted CBA's best opportunities of the half and allowed New Bern to reset its possession-based scheme, one the hosts simply couldn't overcome.

"All credit to New Bern," Worrell said. "They're good. They keep possession, and we were in the wrong position at the wrong time."

The victory moved New Bern to 10-2-1 overall, and 8-0 in ECC 3-A/4-A play. Aycock fell to 8-7-0 and 5-3 in league outings.