C.B. Aycock thrashes Bartlett-Yancey in men's soccer playoffs

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 2, 2006 1:47 PM

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PIKEVILLE -- Bartlett-Yancey men's soccer coach Lynn Massey admitted he had a limited scouting report about Charles B. Aycock heading into Wednesday evening's first-round playoff match.

Massey knew about the Golden Falcons' scoring ability on set pieces, particularly throw-ins. However, didn't have any hints about Aycock's offensive scheme.

"We honestly didn't know much," said Massey.

Nearly 15 minutes into the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A encounter, Massey knew more than he wanted to know about the Golden Falcons. Jorge Delgado provided a match-high four goals and C.B. Aycock played its most-complete game of the season in a 10-0 rout on the Hardy Talton Stadium pitch.

The Golden Falcons (18-2-1) entertain West Brunswick, a 2-1 victor over West Carteret, in second-round action at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Bartlett-Yancey concluded the year 7-14-1.

C.B. Aycock recorded its seventh consecutive victory and collected just its second postseason win in school history. The Buccaneers, a fifth-year program with 30 players on its roster, received a wild-card bid to the 64-team field.

"Aycock kept control of the ball on their side of the field on offense and we had to play defense," said Massey. "We played strong and hard ... tried to match up and move the ball. But the ball kept going back (to Aycock's goal).

"We just couldn't get the ball moved up offensively like we wanted to."

The Golden Falcons misfired on their first two shots on goal, but converted their third attempt. Alex Toler ran onto a loose ball near midfield and passed off to Carson Sasser, who made a great run down the right sideline.

Sasser dribbled just inside the penalty area and hit a perfect strike across the goalmouth toward the lower back post. It was Sasser's 11th goal of the season and Aycock's 85th goal overall.

The Golden Falcons dominated possession from that point and constantly pressured the Buccaneers. Bartlett-Yancey crossed midfield on two occasions, but lost possession and quickly turned back to defend.

Aycock put the game out of reach with a three-goal flurry in a five-minute span late in the opening half.

Tyler Ruffin started the rally with a throw-in from the right side that sailed toward the back post. Buccaneer keeper Jeremy Pattishall (two saves) tried to punch the ball out, but it slipped through his gloves and into the net.

Quick-footed forward Alex Rodriguez contributed to the third goal. Working with plenty of open space near the right side, Rodriguez centered a pass to Tucker Pearson, who headed toward the goal with breakaway speed.

Buccaneer defender Mike Scearce stabbed at the ball and appeared to knock it away from Pearson. Pearson side-stepped Scearce, regained possession and easily scored for the 3-0 advantage.

Delgado concluded the first-half scoring off an assist from co-captain Rich Toler less than a minute after Pearson's strike.

"It was a slow start," said Golden Falcons coach Byron Adkins. "Then we caught fire and shots started flying into the back of the net. That's what we like to see. They were all good goals."

Rodriguez and Delgado each notched a goal within a one-minute span early in the second half. Sasser assisted on both marks. From that point, each head coach put their respective reserves into action.

Delgado added two more goals, while Ryan Martin and Thomas Oliver each tallied their first goals of their varsity career. Toler, Sasser, Kyle LaFlamme and Blake Vail combined for six assists.

"Our movement off the ball was excellent and our switching from right to left was good," said Adkins. "Our finishing was good tonight. Defensively, we tried some new things tonight and overall, it worked out.

"I thought it was a great performance tonight."