Caps' late flurry tops Pride

Leesville Road battles Cap Seven leader Broughton to tie for 66 minutes

RALEIGH -- After 66 minutes of play Tuesday night, home-standing Leesville Road and Cap Seven leader Broughton were tied 1-1 until the Caps rallied for three goals in the final 14 minutes to escape with a 4-1 win.

Despite the Pride's 4-9 overall record and 1-7 league mark, Broughton coach Izzy Hernandez knew his team would have its hands full.

"I don't look at this league as strong from top to bottom, it's so even it's more side to side," said Hernandez, whose team is 13-1 and 8-0.

Leesville Road coach Chip Stone is in his first year in the Cap Seven and is very impressed.

"This league is crazy," Stone said. "We competed, and had a chance to win, just about every game. We're a young team, and hopefully we can keep them enthusiastic. It's fun to play good teams, but I'm sorry we're not more successful.

"Broughton is very organized, and I liked that we developed several threats, had some very good shots."

Broughton led 1-0 at halftime on a counter goal with Graham Ford getting the ball to Watt Williams for the score.

Leesville Road, however, tied the score 22 minutes into the second half when Carlos Ciprano's direct kick bounced off Caps goalkeeper Will Mackvick.

"We were playing well, but after they scored I thought we played better," Hernandez said.

Sophomore Brandon Haynes jump-started the Caps' offense with a pair of goals for a 3-1 lead.

Williams had the assist on Haynes' first goal when Haynes scored from the right side with just over 13 minutes to play. Seven minutes later, Vinnie Llana got the ball to Haynes for the goal and the 3-1 lead.

"Haynes had two nice goals," Hernandez said. "He showed a lot of composure on the third goal when he flicked it over the defender and volleyed it in."

"With us, it's all teamwork," Haynes said. "It doesn't matter who scores as long as we win."

Llana got the final goal, on a header off a long kick by Tyler Duncan with two minutes to play.

Hernandez also applauded the play of Mackvick and defenders Bryan Hooker, Marco Fonseca, Kevin Stam and Ben Snow.

"We haven't given up many goals," Hernandez said. "Their steady play has been a key."