Warriors' season ends

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on November 9, 2009 1:46 PM

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JACKSONVILLE -- Eastern Wayne kept within striking distance for 60 minutes until unbeaten and No. 1-ranked Jacksonville posted two goals in the latter stages of the second half.

Cory Faughnan and an own goal helped the Cardinals stop the Warriors 3-0 in their second-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A men's soccer playoff game Saturday evening.

"We were looking to play a defensively stout match and were able to keep the score very close for 60 some minutes," said Eastern Wayne coach Jorg Wagner. "For the entire match, we were compact in the back and looked to sneak in on counter attacks over the flnaks. That type of tactical set up will not produce many chances, but we needed to limit Jacksonville to long, probing balls into the area.

The Cardinals (26-0-0 overall) took a 1-0 lead in the 38th minute on Pat Lynch's header inside the 6-yard box. Faughnan scored in the 60th minute and the Warriors had an "own" goal 10 minutes later.

Eastern Wayne keeper Joe DiCesare recorded 13 saves.

"Not giving up easy shots was our main goal and, with DiCesare having a career night, we accomplished that," said Wagner. "For the match we missed four assignments -- one hit the crossbar and three ended up in the back of the net. Jacksonville has superb players who converted on our mistakes and their win was well-deserved."

The Warriors concluded the year 10-11-1.