from Eastern Region Soccer Online

BOX SCORE

NORFOLK – The Cox Falcons continued defense of its 2008 Eastern Region crown by out-possessing the Grassfield Grizzlies on its way to a 3-0 result at Powhatan Field. 

While Cox will be competing in its third consecutive Regional final appearance and 19th in program history, its opponent will be in this match for the first time.  Hickory knocked out Kellam 1-0 in the opening semifinal, 1-0.  

The Falcons and Hawks will meet for the second time this season at 7:30pm to decide who will host a state quarterfinal and who will have to visit the Northwest Region champs.   Cox defeated Hickory 3-0 on their home ground back in late March.

Participating in a drastically slower-paced match than their counterparts a night earlier, Cox (17-2-1) exerted a low level of energy by keeping the ball in space and off the feet of the Grizzlies who were coming off a fast-paced win over Maury.

Cox nearly took the lead in the 20th minute when Hunter Byrnes drove home a blocked shot from Ryan Oakes but he was flagged by the assistant referee for being offside.

The patient Falcons would get on the board early in the second half and deflate the Grizzlies' chances for gaining another shot at Hickory. 

Deep in the left flank, Paul Braunstein played a cross to the far post.  Byrnes headed it down toward Oakes at the near post to tap it past goalkeeper Michael Eberhardt for the match winner.

Cox’s first insurance goal coming in the 70th minute was surprising.  Taking a free kick a few yards away from the left corner flag, defender Chris Albiston played a curving ball toward the far right post. 

When no Falcons could lay a head on the cross, the ball pinged off the far post and into the net, putting the silent patrons in attendance at Powhatan Field into temporary shock.

Oakes would close the deal for Cox in the 77th minute when he streaked up the middle of the field, taking a loose deflection from a Grassfield defender, and beating Eberhardt as he walked the ball into the net.

The Falcons held a 26-14 lead in shots over Grassfield.  Jon Harris with the Falcon shutout while getting five saves.  Eberhardt came up with six saves for the Grizzlies who completed its first Regional appearance with a record of 14-5-1.