Rosewood stops Kinston 1-0

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on March 6, 2008 1:49 PM

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Rosewood's game plan Wednesday evening was simple.

If visiting Kinston didn't score, the Eagles couldn't lose. The strategy worked to perfection in a 1-0 victory at Branch Pope Field.

Gabby Cornman sent a corner kick in front of the Kinston goal early in the first half. The ball deflected off a Vikings defender and into the back of the net.

Kinston couldn't generate a consistent offense all night. Most of the Vikings' passes into Eagles territory were off the mark or cleared by a Rosewood defender. Kinston's attack began to take shape in the second half, but it couldn't convert scoring opportunities.

"I told our girls as long as we're tight in the back and don't give up any goals we can't lose," said Rosewood head coach Eddie Maldonado said. "We didn't

give up any goals so I was pleased with that."

The Eagles (1-1 overall) had ample opportunities to build upon their lead but were unable to find the net. Cornman's shot midway through the first half sailed just wide. A pair of second-half corner kicks also went by the wayside.

Rosewood finished with a 9-3 shots on goal advantage.

"I thought that we were going to get (another goal)," said Maldonado. "If we would have put one away ourselves instead of an own goal I think that would have made a huge difference for us."

The contest turned physical early on as the officials chose to let both clubs play. A young Eagles squad with three freshmen and just two seniors on its roster displayed an aggressive nature that caught their skipper's eye.

"I have bunch of girls that are cheerleaders and some others that have never played before," said Maldonado. "I told them this is an aggressive game and that as we go further on the teams are going to get better and more aggressive.

"It was good to see them come out and not be afraid to get that physical contact."