KM hoists another Gazette Cup

GASTONIA — History has a way of repeating itself with the girls Gazette Soccer Cup. Last year, the tournament was cancelled due to wintry weather and this year the schedule was altered due to snow as well. Since 2003, Kings Mountain has been the only team to win the Cup and on Saturday night a 4-1 victory over Forestview allowed the Mountaineers to continue their streak.

“I’m pleased. It was a very tough game, we came out and we came out hard,” said Kings Mountain head coach Dara Goldstein. “We were expecting a tough game and they gave it to us. We’re just going to go celebrate and get ready to kickoff the beginning of the season.”

In an extremely physical game that featured numerous fouls and yellow cards, the Mountaineers were led by Ramey Kerns, who has committed to Eastern Tennessee State, with two goals. Gardner-Webb recruits Megan Loftin and Meagan Reynolds each added a score, and Reynolds tallied two assists as well. Kings Mountain (3-0) will play host to Shelby on Wednesday.

A night after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ashbrook, the Jaguars were still able to be competitive throughout the game as they had numerous opportunities.

“I don’t know that that (fatigue) was that much of a factor,” Forestview coach Sam Braxton said. “The girls played really hard last night, but they came out and did it all again tonight. This is a young team, but I couldn’t be happier with the heart and the effort I’m getting from them. I’m really looking forward to this year.”

Forestview’s lone goal came from Lindley Sytz, who scored five goals throughout the tournament. The Jaguars (2-1) will continue their season when they travel to Shelby on Monday.

Saturday's roundup

South Point 3, Ashbrook 0 - A night after an intense battle with county foe Forestview, Ashbrook struggled to get things going offensively on their way to a 3-0 defeat against South Point in the third-place game. South Point (2-1) was led by two goals from Diamond Davis, and received help from the Green Wave (1-2) on an own goal in the win.

East Gaston 7, Hunter Huss 0 - After a rough loss in the opening round of the Gazette Cup, East Gaston certainly finished strong by outscoring their opponents 12-0 in the final two rounds. Stephanie Aguilar recorded a hat-trick, and Kristen Calhoun, Crystal Ocasio, Mikayla O’Meara, and Colleen Zatorski all scored a goal a-piece to lead the Warriors. Mandy Ross, Kaylee Coleman, and Cameron Pucket each recorded an assist for East Gaston (2-1), who will play host to Hunter Huss again on Monday.

Highland Tech 6, North Gaston 1 - After scoring just one goal in each of the previous games, Highland Tech finally found some life and was able to tally some goals. The Rams were led by Meredith Hinson with three goals, Rachel Terrio with two goals, and Monica Rice with a goal on her own. Terrio added two assists and Addison Collins added one more assist for Highland Tech (1-2), who will play host on Friday to East Rutherford. Rachel McClure scored the lone goal for North Gaston (0-3) off an assist from Carolyn Houser.

All Gazette Cup team
NG — Lisa Myers
HT — Olivia Kennedy
HH — Marcella Montano, Morgan Rhyne
EG — Stephanie Aguilar, Kristen Calhoun
AB — Lyn Smarr, Brooke Kearney
SP — Diamond Davis, Bailey Bumgardner
FV — Emily Lindsay, Christy Van Beek, Lindley Sytz
KM — Mallory Mansfield, Meagan Reynolds, Ramey Kerns
Offensive MVP — Meagan Reynolds — KM
Defensive MVP — Tristan Hunt — SP
Mike McCurry Award — Mallory Mansfield — KM

Gazette Cup results
Monday
Kings Mountain 11, North Gaston 0
South Point 5, East Gaston 0
Wednesday
Forestview 8, Highland Tech 1
Ashbrook 10, Hunter Huss 0
Thursday
East Gaston 5, North Gaston 0
Kings Mountain 3, South Point 1
Friday
Hunter Huss 2, Highland Tech 1
Forestview 1, Ashbrook 0
Saturday
Highland Tech 6, North Gaston 1
East Gaston 7, Hunter Huss 0
South Point 3, Ashbrook 0
Kings Mountain 4, Forestview 1

Girls Gazette Cup championship history
1999 — Ashbrook 4, Forestview 2
2000 — Forestview 3, Ashbrook 1
2001 — Forestview 2, KM 0
2002 — Forestview 2, Ashbrook 1
2003 — KM 3, Ashbrook 1
2004 — KM 4, Forestview 1
2005 — KM 3, South Point 1
2006 — KM 3, Ashbrook 1
2007 — KM 3, Ashrook 0
2008 — KM 7, Ashbrook 0
2009 — No tournament (wintry weather)
2010 — KM 4, Forestview 1