The Woods Charter boy’s soccer team earned a hard-fought 3-1 double-overtime victory over Goldsboro Rosewood on Tuesday night in Durham in a NCHSAA 1A second round matchup.
Woods Charter, which received a first-round bye, improves to 12-7 on the season with the win and advanced on take on Lejune on Thursday evening down at Camp Lejune near Jacksonville.
Rosewood closes the fall campaign at 13-7-1.
Coach Graeme Stewart was proud of how his Woods Charter squad battled to get the tough decision.
“I felt we controlled the tempo of the game,” Stewart said. “Our pressure and movement was really good against a well drilled, talented and strong Rosewood team. We knew they had a fast break as they have talent in the middle and up top but I think we managed this well overall.”
After a scoreless opening half, it was Rosewood which would score first when senior Eagles forward Geovanni Abrill found the net with a little over 20 minutes left in the contest to send the visitors in front 2-1.
It looked as if Rosewood would survive and take the win on the Abrill goal, but Woods Charter senior Max Moses had other plans, and sent in a tying goal with just under five minutes remaining to tie the contest at 1-1.
“Their goal was against the run with the lead, but once behind we kept pushing and scored late to force the OT,” noted Stewart. “Once in OT we created more space, took control and scored two goals.”
Senior Luka Noronha put the Wolves ahead for good with a goal in the first overtime period, and sophomore Paul Waldrop capped the 3-1 triumph with an insurance goal in the second overtime.
“Our commitment was great and I am really proud of the way the players kept working and believing,” closed Stewart. “They grew into a special team over the season that believed in each other with great chemistry and this showed in this game.”
