Gryphons suffocate Warriors' attack while moving into tie for second

Rocky Mount High’s Sarah Bland (1) takes a shot against Wilson Hunt’s Jesse Von Arx (7) on Monday at Rocky Mount High School.

Rocky Mount High’s Barkley Browder (2) heads the ball against Wilson Hunt’s Jordi Brick (15) on Monday at Rocky Mount High School.

Rocky Mount High’s Schuyler Moss (11) moves the ball up the field against Wilson Hunt’s Kaitlyn Bradshaw (8) on Monday at Rocky Mount High School.

When Rocky Mount High’s schedule was released, everyone knew this would be a big week for the Gryphons.

On the docket was Monday’s showdown at home against Wilson Hunt and a Wednesday trip to Wilson Fike, the two co-favorites in the Big East Conference. If Rocky Mount High wanted any chance at winning the conference, it had to earn a pair of victories this week.

The Gryphons certainly rose to the occasion Monday.

Rocky Mount High was able to smother the Hunt attack in the midfield, and picked up two timely finishes from Sarah Bland and one booming shot from Barkley Browder to defeat the Warriors, 3-0, and move into a tie with Hunt (9-5-2, 5-2-0) for second place in the conference.

“We definitely put together the best 80-minute game of the year so far,” coach Jordan Musselwhite said. ”We pressured the ball really well in their defensive third and took possession from them when they were trying to play it out of the back a little bit. … We played about as close to a perfect game as we can.”

Browder was the center of attention for most of the day, chasing the ball around the midfield for all 80 minutes while halting Hunt’s progress up the field. She won plenty of jump balls with well-timed leaps over the Warriors’ midfielders and created plenty of offensive momentum with strong, smart passes to the wings.

However, it was the junior’s goal that truly turned the tide of the game because of its timing.

She collected a loose ball about 20 yards away early in the second half and struck a thunderous shot past Hunt goalie Bryson Lee, who barely got a hand on it before it found the back of the net. The goal gave the Gryphons (13-5, 5-2) a 3-0 lead and kept the confidence flowing after a strong first half.

“I knew we had to keep it up and keep it going,” Browder said. ”Two goals is very scary because if they score one then it’s just one more until it’s tied. I just took a big touch and shot it as hard as I could hoping it would go in the back of the net.”

The trouble for Rocky Mount High once it gained possession was trying to find the space to create quality scoring opportunities. Lee is adept with her feet and many times acted like a fifth defender for the Warriors, which meant she was ready to race out and scoop up a dangerous pass if necessary.

There were plenty of those passes hit too hard for Lee to collect, but there were others that were placed perfectly in the path of Bland, who then had to face Lee one-on-one. The Gryphons’ junior got the better of Lee twice, both times finding ways to cut at the last second to give herself a better angle at the goal.

But that did not mean it was easy for Bland, who was also stoned by Lee’s outstretched leg twice.

“We adjusted well to how their goalie comes out and plays like a sweeper,” Bland said. ”We worked really well to work the ball wide and then play it into the middle and having our passes through really well hit.

“It’s definitely tough and something you’re not used to, but when I get played a ball really well I can work with it and it usually just becomes a foot chase.”

With Rocky Mount High possessing the ball and attacking for most of the game, there was not much action for the defense until the final 15 minutes. The Gryphons’ backline responded in tune, frustrating the Warriors’ attackers and limiting the number of shots sophomore Ty Arrington faced.

Yet when Arrington was called upon in the second half, she made two big saves to preserve the shutout.

The challenge for the Gryphons is now to repeat this performance Wednesday in Wilson. Fike leads the conference with a 7-0 Big East record, but the Golden Demons face both the Gryphons and Warriors in their final three games.

“We somehow have to figure out how to enjoy this one for the night and hopefully continue the level of play on Wednesday,” Musselwhite said.

Rocky Mount High 3

Wilson Hunt 0

Goals: RMH — Sarah Bland (9’ and 34’) and Barkley Browder (46’);

Assists: RMH — Chandler Brice (1) and Schuyler Moss (1);

Shots: RMH — 17 (10 on goal); WH — 7 (4 on goal);

Corner Kicks: RMH — 5; WH — 0;

Saves: RMH — Ty Arrington, 3; WH — Bryson Lee, 6;

by Josh Walfish
Sports Writer for Rocky Mount Telegram

Monday, April 18, 2016