C.B. Aycock cruises past Kinston

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on October 23, 2007 3:04 PM

• Print
• Email

This time of year it's not about how you win, but simply that you find a way to get it done.

After a sluggish opening half, Charles B. Aycock came to life and put the finishing touches on a 3-0 shutout of Kinston in the Class 3-A Eastern Carolina Conference tournament semifinals at Little Big Horn.

Jorge Delgado and Tucker Pearson each found the back of the net in the second half as the Golden Falcons advanced to Wednesday night's finals against rival Eastern Wayne.

"In the first half we struggled ... the boys didn't play well," Aycock assistant coach Byron Adkins said. "In the second half we worked on some things and it looked a little better. I would have liked for the boys to have played a little better tonight, especially now that we're in the final."

Kinston tested Aycock early and often, creating three quality scoring opportunities in the first six minutes. A pair of shots on goal were turned away, and a header sailed just wide.

The Vikings also saw chances off a corner kick, a deep throw-in and yet another header all slip through their fingers later in the first half.

"Actually, Kinston surprised me tonight," Adkins said. "When we went to Kinston, they played all defense. They came out and they attacked tonight, and I was glad to see that. Kinston's a decent team when they came out and play well."

Aycock's early struggles were erased on one play in the 11th minute. David Burke delivered a throw-in into the 18-yard box to Alex Rodriguez, who gathered the ball and beat Kinston keeper Josh Walter.

The Golden Falcons outshot Kinston 7-2 in the second half, and began limiting the Vikings' scoring opportunities. Every long-ball was cut off by a defender, and balls served down the lines were more often than not cleared away.

"I think the boys realized they were playing poorly and they have some self-pride too," Adkins said. "They picked the game up a little bit. We're a real fit team, and I guess (Kinston) got a little tired."

Burke finished with a pair of assists, and Tyler Ruffin also had an assist. Aycock finished with a 13-5 shots on goal advantage, and keeper Brandon Davis made five saves. The Golden Falcons (16-2-1) have now won 15 straight games.

While Adkins anticipates a much more spirited performance from his squad come Wednesday night. He also expected to face a different opponent.

"I think the boys will be up for that more than they were tonight," Adkins said. "It's tough when you run through the conference and you have to see people again ... people you've already beaten twice. I don't think they were overly motivated to play tonight. When Hunt comes up Wednesday, I'm sure they'll be ready to rock and roll."

Hunt may very well be at Little Big Horn Wednesday evening. But those Warriors will be spectators for another chapter in the Eastern Wayne-Aycock rivalry.