Forestview advances to Cup title game

GASTONIA — After three days of mismatches in the Girls Gazette Soccer Cup, the action heated up on a chilly night Friday at Martha Rivers Park.

Hunter Huss nipped Highland Tech 2-1 in the consolation bracket before Forestview slipped past Ashbrook 1-0 for a spot in Saturday’s championship game.

In Friday’s nightcap, Lindly Sytz found the back of the net on a penalty kick midway through the first half and Forestview held on to set up a title-game match with six-time defending champion Kings Mountain.

“It’s a great way to start off the season,” said Sytz, a sophomore forward. “I hope the season keeps going like this.”

The Jaguars (2-0) will make their first Gazette Cup championship appearance since 2004 when they take on the Mountaineers 5:30 Saturday at Ashbrook.

Forestview will be looking to end the most dominant run in the tournament’s 11-year history. The last team other than Kings Mountain to win was Forestview, which captured three straight championships from 2000 to 2002.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” Sytz said. “We’ve got to be ready.”

Kings Mountain beat North Gaston 11-0 and South Point 3-1 this week to reach the title game.

Forestview’s path was more difficult thanks to a city rivalry that produced another back-and-forth struggle. And the Jaguars survived with a youthful lineup that included three freshmen, three sophomores, three juniors and two seniors.

“It was like a Forestview-Ashbrook game,” Forestview coach Sam Braxton said. “It was hard-fought the whole time and anybody’s game.”

Ashbrook had a chance to tie it in the second half when the Green Wave was awarded a penalty kick of its own, but the shot sailed high.

“I think we played really hard,” Ashbrook coach Melissa Kiwala said. “That was the second game of the season and it’s hard to play a competitive team like Forestview this early.”

Ashbrook, which had played in the last three championship games, will defend its home turf 4 p.m. Saturday against South Point for third place.

Hunter Huss 2, Highland Tech 1 — Morgan Sale scored an unassisted goal and Morgan Rhyne added a penalty kick as the Huskies (1-1) picked up their first win of the tournament. Miriam Lewis drew the foul that resulted in the penalty kick, goalkeeper Marcella Montano logged 18 saves and Casey Lutz anchored the midfield.

The Huskies advanced to Saturday’s fifth-place game against East Gaston, which begins at 2:30 p.m. at Ashbrook.

Meredith Hinson scored off an assist from Olivia Kennedy for Highland Tech (0-1), which will face North Gaston 1 p.m. Saturday at Ashbrook for seventh place.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.

Gazette Cup schedule/results

Monday’s results

Kings Mountain 11, North Gaston 0

South Point 5, East Gaston 0

Wednesday’s results

Forestview 8, Highland Tech 1

Ashbrook 10, Hunter Huss 0

Thursday’s results

East Gaston 5, North Gaston 0

Kings Mountain 3, South Point 1

Friday’s results

Hunter Huss 2, Highland Tech 1

Forestview 1, Ashbrook 0

Saturday at Ashbrook

North Gaston vs. Highland Tech, seventh-place game, 1 p.m.

East Gaston vs. Hunter Huss, fifth-place game, 2:30 p.m.

South Point vs. Ashbrook, third-place game, 4 p.m.

Kings Mountain vs. Forestview, championship, 5:30 p.m.

Admission: $5

Girls Gazette Cup championship history

1999 — Ashbrook 4, Forestview 2

2000 — Forestview 3, Ashbrook 1

2001 — Forestview 2, Kings Mountain 0

2002 — Forestview 2, Ashbrook 1

2003 — Kings Mountain 3, Ashbrook 1

2004 — Kings Mountain 4, Forestview 1

2005 — Kings Mountain 3, South Point 1

2006 — Kings Mountain 3, Ashbrook 1

2007 — Kings Mountain 3, Ashbrook 0

2008 — Kings Mountain 7, Ashbrook 0

2009 — No tournament (wintry weather)