Chapin, Barnes provide offensive punch for Eagles

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 25, 2015 1:48 PM

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Although Rosewood varsity boys' soccer coach Eddie Maldonado would like to see more ball possession and fluid midfield play from his team, he also doesn't mind its quick-strike capability.

Especially with Ethan Chapin and Zack Barnes on the pitch.

The senior duo combined for four goals and two assists during a 5-2, non-conference triumph over Goldsboro at Cougar Stadium on Monday afternoon. In the Eagles' two victories this season, Barnes and Chapin have combined for six goals and three assists -- a total of 15 points.

"Zack can run with anybody. Ethan might be just as fast, but Ethan is strong, too, and can be (tough to) handle like Zack," Maldonado said. "First half, I would have liked to see us possess the ball more. We scored four goals, but I think they were all off of counter attacks.

"That might be our strength up top with the speed that we have. But there are still times we have to be able to control the game a little bit and possess the ball."

Chapin opened the scoring around the 16th minute when he out-muscled a Goldsboro defender and tucked away a shot inside the near post.

The Cougars (1-2-0 overall) seemed to settle down, but could never sustain any offensive rhythm. Second balls, either on the ground or in the air, consistently fell to a purple jersey and Goldsboro found itself back-peddling on defense.

The 1-A state runner-up in the 400 meters last spring, Barnes took a through ball from Daniel Alberto in the 33rd minute. And like Chapin, he easily worked around his defender and scored to make it 2-0.

Rosewood (2-0-0) added two more goals before halftime -- a Barnes to Chapin mark, and a Chapin to Barnes mark.

"We are a little inexperienced in the (defensive) back with only one senior and they exposed us with their speed," GHS head coach Rocky McAlduff said. "Two of their goals came where we had two ... three passes ... (we) lost possession and they're on the attack. My offense became their best offense.

"I'm disappointed with the way we started, we're a better team than that."

Alberto collected an unassisted goal in the 54th minute.

Goldsboro averted the shutout on Mickey Eovine's unassisted goal in the 67th minute. The Cougars added their second goal when Jon Stevens converted Jacob Seate's corner kick around the 77th minute.

The Eagles owned a 22-18 edge in shots. RHS keeper Tucker Chapin logged seven saves in 60 minutes between the pipes. Hunter Weeks replaced Chapin for the final 20 minutes.

Cameron Roux had six saves for the Cougars.