Streak snapped
Top-ranked Greenfield spilled by archrival WCD 2-1
By Jimmy Lewis
Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
It has been a rivalry long before Friday’s spirited, physical confrontation on Forbes Field.
Yet, the Greenfield School varsity boys soccer team, ranked No. 1 among North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A sides, had its homecoming uprooted and 13-match winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss at the hands of archrival Wayne Country Day before a large, boisterous turnout.
The signaling of full-time set off a joyous celebration on the pitch for the Chargers, who improved to 15-2 overall and pulled even in the 1-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference standings with the Knights. Greenfield, which played a player down after a red card in the 64th minute, dropped to 14-2-1.
Speedy freshman Nehemiya Shaw poked in the game-winner off a long ball from Hunter Bryson with 12:30 to play, and the Knights were unable to net an equalizer off a pair of free kicks the rest of the way.
“We just have to get better,” Greenfield head coach Randol Mendoza said. “Wayne Country Day was the better side tonight. So, we’ve got some stuff to work on for the next game.”
The Knights went into halftime with a 1-0 cushion despite Wayne Country Day committing extra defenders behind the ball and forcing long shots and crosses into the area. As such, Greenfield owned the majority of possession in the first 40 minutes. Off an intended cross from junior Argenis Rodriguez, the ball was struck on frame and remained above WCD keeper James Thompson from some 35 yards out. The ball settled under the crossbar, giving Greenfield its one-goal cushion in the 27th minute.
“It was supposed to be a cross, because that’s the only way we were playing,” Rodriguez said. “They send me the ball, I look up and I see James (Wells) making the run. I just hit it with all I had, and it just curved in.”
Wells, whose 41 goals has him ranked second among North Carolina players and fourth nationally according to MaxPreps, certainly drew attention. Anytime a ball reached the attacking third in the first half, two Charger defenders quickly locked eyes with him.
A cross intended for Wells just before halftime was snuffed by Thompson.
With Greenfield’s 1-0 advantage still on the board, the physicality ramped up in the second half. Two yellow cards and a red card were handed out. In the 55th minute, junior Alex Rodriguez was upended, bringing forth a yellow card.
Wayne Country Day equalized indirectly off a free kick with 24:18 to go. Off the side boot from John Thompson, a bounding ball in the box was gathered by Shaw, who sent it by Greenfield senior keeper Cedric Kirby.
Greenfield went a player down in the 64th. With no one between him and Kirby and a golden scoring opportunity, WCD’s Shaw was blatantly taken down by Knights junior defender Kris Castete. The intent drew an immediate red card from the referee, placing the Knights in the player-down situation.
“Kris was trying to save us from getting scored on,” Mendoza described. “And it just happened that he got the red card as a result. But, it happens.”
The game-winner was struck by Shaw, who netted both goals for the Chargers. Bryson’s long ball connected with the freshman, who put it away past Kirby for the final margin.
Kirby remained busy over the final 40 minutes, with five of his six saves coming in that span.
Two chances to put the match in overtime were presented to Greenfield in the final four minutes. Wells sent a free kick high from 25 yards in the 77th. With 90 seconds left, sophomore Jackson Stone stood over the ball from the right side of the penalty area. However, Mendoza demanded the left-footed Wells take the shot.
His boot was initially bobbled away by WCD’s Thompson, but no one was available to pounce on a rebound. Greenfield never seriously threatened again before the final whistle.
Now, both teams are on track to share the CPIC regular-season title after Greenfield won the first meeting in Goldsboro on penalties.
“The first game we had with them went to PKs,” Wayne Country Day head coach Steve Ellis recounted. “We were 2-1 up with three minutes to go, and probably should have won that game. It’s a nice confidence booster to come and win in regular play time.”
Added Mendoza: “Playing teams that have 10 men behind the ball, it’s just tough to beat and tough to break down. We just couldn’t do that tonight.”
Top-ranked Greenfield spilled by archrival WCD 2-1
By Jimmy Lewis
Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
It has been a rivalry long before Friday’s spirited, physical confrontation on Forbes Field.
Yet, the Greenfield School varsity boys soccer team, ranked No. 1 among North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A sides, had its homecoming uprooted and 13-match winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss at the hands of archrival Wayne Country Day before a large, boisterous turnout.
The signaling of full-time set off a joyous celebration on the pitch for the Chargers, who improved to 15-2 overall and pulled even in the 1-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference standings with the Knights. Greenfield, which played a player down after a red card in the 64th minute, dropped to 14-2-1.
Speedy freshman Nehemiya Shaw poked in the game-winner off a long ball from Hunter Bryson with 12:30 to play, and the Knights were unable to net an equalizer off a pair of free kicks the rest of the way.
“We just have to get better,” Greenfield head coach Randol Mendoza said. “Wayne Country Day was the better side tonight. So, we’ve got some stuff to work on for the next game.”
The Knights went into halftime with a 1-0 cushion despite Wayne Country Day committing extra defenders behind the ball and forcing long shots and crosses into the area. As such, Greenfield owned the majority of possession in the first 40 minutes. Off an intended cross from junior Argenis Rodriguez, the ball was struck on frame and remained above WCD keeper James Thompson from some 35 yards out. The ball settled under the crossbar, giving Greenfield its one-goal cushion in the 27th minute.
“It was supposed to be a cross, because that’s the only way we were playing,” Rodriguez said. “They send me the ball, I look up and I see James (Wells) making the run. I just hit it with all I had, and it just curved in.”
Wells, whose 41 goals has him ranked second among North Carolina players and fourth nationally according to MaxPreps, certainly drew attention. Anytime a ball reached the attacking third in the first half, two Charger defenders quickly locked eyes with him.
A cross intended for Wells just before halftime was snuffed by Thompson.
With Greenfield’s 1-0 advantage still on the board, the physicality ramped up in the second half. Two yellow cards and a red card were handed out. In the 55th minute, junior Alex Rodriguez was upended, bringing forth a yellow card.
Wayne Country Day equalized indirectly off a free kick with 24:18 to go. Off the side boot from John Thompson, a bounding ball in the box was gathered by Shaw, who sent it by Greenfield senior keeper Cedric Kirby.
Greenfield went a player down in the 64th. With no one between him and Kirby and a golden scoring opportunity, WCD’s Shaw was blatantly taken down by Knights junior defender Kris Castete. The intent drew an immediate red card from the referee, placing the Knights in the player-down situation.
“Kris was trying to save us from getting scored on,” Mendoza described. “And it just happened that he got the red card as a result. But, it happens.”
The game-winner was struck by Shaw, who netted both goals for the Chargers. Bryson’s long ball connected with the freshman, who put it away past Kirby for the final margin.
Kirby remained busy over the final 40 minutes, with five of his six saves coming in that span.
Two chances to put the match in overtime were presented to Greenfield in the final four minutes. Wells sent a free kick high from 25 yards in the 77th. With 90 seconds left, sophomore Jackson Stone stood over the ball from the right side of the penalty area. However, Mendoza demanded the left-footed Wells take the shot.
His boot was initially bobbled away by WCD’s Thompson, but no one was available to pounce on a rebound. Greenfield never seriously threatened again before the final whistle.
Now, both teams are on track to share the CPIC regular-season title after Greenfield won the first meeting in Goldsboro on penalties.
“The first game we had with them went to PKs,” Wayne Country Day head coach Steve Ellis recounted. “We were 2-1 up with three minutes to go, and probably should have won that game. It’s a nice confidence booster to come and win in regular play time.”
Added Mendoza: “Playing teams that have 10 men behind the ball, it’s just tough to beat and tough to break down. We just couldn’t do that tonight.”
