The intensity and effort were there, but C.B. Aycock could not get a win on senior night.
J.H. Rose scored a goal late in the second half to beat the Golden Falcons 3-2.
The loss snaps the Golden Falcons’ five-game winning streak, but C.B. Aycock head coach Dominick Albano said the Golden Falcons did many positive things throughout the game.
“I saw heart and effort. We finished, but it’s just an unfortunate loss. We capitalized when we needed to capitalize,” Albano said. “J.H. Rose is a really good team with a really good coach.
“It’s just great effort and a great thing to move forward with.”
The Golden Falcons struck first when in the 17th minute, Colby Thompson scored a goal, but five minutes later, J.H. Rose’s Harris Ershadi kicked a ball into the back of the net to things up at 1-1.
In the 25th minute, senior Zach Naughton got a cleat on the ball, which zipped past J.H. Rose goalie Drew Sears to give the Golden Falcons a 2-1 advantage.
“This the effort I want to see out of the boys,” Albano said.
However, in the 31st minute, the Rampants tied things up again when Jordan Taylor scored his first goal of the game.
The second half was a back-and-forth battle, and the Golden Falcons had chances to take back the lead, but the Rampants thwarted the Golden Falcons’ best scoring chances.
Finally, in the 79th minute, Taylor broke through C.B. Aycock’s defenders to score his second goal of the game and give J.H. Rose a 3-2 lead.
The Golden Falcons scrambled to tie the game, but they could not find the back of the net.
“We moved the ball well, and they give it all they had, and that’s all you can ask for,” Albano said.
During halftime, Naughton and fellow senior John McIver were honored for their four years of hard work.
“Zach is honestly one of the best players I’ve seen coaching and playing. Just his soccer IQ is off the charts, and he’s going to do well wherever he goes,” Albano said. “John’s leadership skills are amazing. He leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes every week. His leadership and play are just on point. He fights no matter what.”
C.B. Aycock (7-3-1 overall) next faces D.H. Conley (6-0) on Wednesday.
