County soccer teams still chasing perfection as tournament set to begin
A good old-fashioned lesson learned propelled the Lakeview Warriors to a shutout over Dade County last Monday.
Four days earlier the Warriors escaped the LaFayette Ramblers, 2-1, but focus intensified several notches against Dade as Lakeview beat the Wolverines on their home turf by an 8-0 count.
The win solidified an 8-0 conference record, but also kept the Warriors on track for their first undefeated season since 2006. Still, even with perfection looming, Lakeview head coach Traye Carpenter said he wants his team to focus on the task at hand, and not history.
“Well, it hasn’t happened for 11 years, but ii feels pretty good,” Carpenter said. “But I know that’s a lot to hold onto when it’s time to enter a tournament. The focus can’t be our record. Now everything starts over. It’s a clean slate.”
Steven Galicia led his team with a hat trick against Dade County, while Belmin Kojic, McKenzy Kimball, Cooper Kirk, Jacob Sloan, and Jayce Yunyong all scored a goal each. McKenzy, a defender all season long, netted his first goal of the year.
Kojic, Kirk, and Kimball also had assists.
The Warriors (11-0, 8-0) led 5-0 at halftime. Igniting the team was goalkeeper Caleb Goodwin, who earned a chance to come out of goal and put a few shots on goal. His team would follow suit and score three times in the second half.
Lakeview girls 10, Dade County 1
The Lady Warriors stayed hot with a big win over the Lady Wolverines after blanking LaFayette, 8-0, last Thursday.
Lakeview (8-1-2, 6-1-1) got goals from Astrid Cantrell, Emma Leverrett, Bailey Sullivan, Arwin Moss and Autumn Talley. Leverrett assisted on three of the goals, while Cantrell had an assist of her own.
Dade County’s Ella Ballard scored a goal off an assist from Karlee Welch.
Lady Generals finish unbeaten regular season
Heritage’s girls wrapped up a 13-0 regular season by winning twice last week.
The Navy-and-Red began the week with a 2-1 non-league win over New Hope of Whitfield County. Bailey Needham and Mady Terry both scored in the win, while Molly Cason, Maggie Grayson, Sydney Lane, Addison Needham and Emma Walther were touted for their defensive play.
Jordan Leonard had one save in net, while Abby Scott made two saves for Heritage.
Heritage capped the week and sealed the NGAC regular season title by beating Saddle Ridge, 9-1.
Zandy Burton got the hat trick for the Lady Generals. Abby Bradford and Bailey Needham each scored twice, while Terry and Annie Pearl Keys both had one goal.
Allison Craft assisted on five goals, while Terry, Walther, McKenna Bialecke, Carol Anne Giannamore and Madison Nix each had one assist.
Defensive standouts included Cason, Grayson, Lane, Walther, Addison Needham and Madison Lankford. Leonard and Scott teamed up in goal.
Individual scoring for the Lady Mustangs were not provided as of press time.
Ringgold girls 4, Trion 1
The Lady Tigers wrapped up their regular season with a victory over the Lady Bulldogs last Monday.
Joanna Medlin scored two goals and chipped in one assist, while Maggie Reed scored two goals and Riley Poe garnered one assist.