Strickland sisters power C.B. Aycock past archrival

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 14, 2014 1:49 PM

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Alex Strickland read the tweet.

She immediately knew she had to give a maximum effort and hoped it would be good enough to exact revenge on a team that held her to a single goal in two regular-season meetings.

During the pre-game huddle, Strickland told her Charles B. Aycock teammates that she didn't want this to be her and the seniors' last game.

It wasn't.

Strickland notched all four goals in a 4-0 victory over long-time nemesis Eastern Wayne on the Little Big Horn pitch. The Golden Falcons (10-8-1 overall) collected their sixth shutout of the season and travel to either perennial powerhouse Jacksonville or Havelock for a second-round game in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A girls' soccer playoffs.

"I've been looking forward to this since I saw that tweet that we were going to play them again," said Strickland. "We had to get our revenge and I was going to give it everything this time. (Last week), I just don't think we were prepared and I know I definitely did not play up to my potential.

"Today, I came in thinking it could go either way, so I'm going to leave it on the field."

Unlike their previous meeting, Aycock scored first this time.

Ariel Strickland picked up a loose ball in the midfield, dribbled down the left side and pushed it toward Alex, who was marked by two defenders. EW keeper Erica Duke came off her line to challenge and Strickland tucked it away just inside the near post with 8 1/2 minutes erased off of the clock.

It was the first of three assists by Ariel, who controlled midfield possession along with Emily Borel and Anja Kliss for most of the 80-minute affair.

"If you concede early, it's a problem," Warriors head coach Jorg Wagner said. "We caught ourselves a little bit after a shaky start, but we did not press in the midfield, we allowed way too many balls to come through and find Strickland, which is obviously the big threat Aycock possesses."

The aggressive-minded Golden Falcons won numerous second balls and defended well on set pieces. The Warriors (9-7-1) misfired on three crosses in the box and attempted 14 shots, including eight on frame.

Aycock keeper Sarina Lancaster logged eight saves.

"Every question we asked of Aycock, their defense had an answer," Wagner said. "It was their day. I don't know if they played better (than us), but certainly more efficient."

None played more efficient than Strickland.

The Cape Fear Community College signee scored second-half goals in the 50th, 60th and 74th minutes. Ariel Strickland assisted on the final two strikes.

"She killed it," a smiling Alex said. "I am so proud of her ... great teamwork. (Us) being aggressive was the definitely the big thing and sending balls over (the defense). This week, that's where I got my goals from."

And revenge, too.