Ashbrook, Forestview go for Cup title

Forestview went 3-0 in last year’s Gazette Cup but didn’t get to play in the championship game.

After the points system left the Jaguars playing for third place, they left nothing to chance this year, shutting out both of its group play opponents to reach Saturday's 4 p.m. title game against Ashbrook.

“It feels good to be back in the finals,” Forestview coach David Shearer said. “It’s not the perfect system that we play in with the points. Some teams don’t like the bracketed system either.”

Forestview earned eight points in group play and Ashbrook compiled eight points to reach the title game for a second straight year. On Wednesday, the Green Wave tied South Point in the final minute, barely working its way into the finals. Ashbrook beat South Point 1-0 for last year’s title and is on a mission to win back-to-back Cup championships for the first time.

“We’re going to come back out and try to win it again,” senior captain Justin Brooks said.

Ashbrook’s title last year was its first since 1999 and second in the then-16-year history of the Cup. After the 1999 title, Ashbrook had lost in six championship games until last year.

“We’ve got to prove last year wasn’t a fluke,” senior captain Casey Frey said.

Forestview will be going for a Cup-record eighth title. The Jaguars are tied with South Point for most titles in Cup history at seven.

“This is all part of a Gaston County tradition,” Shearer said. “The Cup is like a preseason tournament for all the Gaston County teams. It’s a good atmosphere and we’re just happy to be in the finals. Winning the Cup is one of our short-term goals for each season.”

Daniel Carvajal scored both Ashbrook goals Wednesday. Daniel Gibbons and Danny Sassano scored two goals apiece for Forestview in Thursday’s 5-0 win over East Gaston.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843. Correspondent Tony Bazen contributed to this report.

Gazette Cup schedule

All games at Poston Park, Lowell

Monday’s results

South Point 3, Gaston Day 2

Ashbrook 7, Highland Tech 0

Tuesday’s results

East Gaston 5, North Gaston 0

Forestview 6, Hunter Huss 0

Wednesday’s results

Gaston Day 3, Highland Tech 2

Ashbrook 2, South Point 2

Thursday’s results

Hunter Huss 6, North Gaston 0

Forestview 5, East Gaston 0

Saturday

Highland Tech vs. North Gaston, seventh place, 10 a.m.

Gaston Day vs. Hunter Huss, fifth place, noon

East Gaston vs. South Point, third place, 2 p.m.

Forestview vs. Ashbrook, championship, 4

Final group play standings

Team                        Record             Pts.

Forestview                2-0                    8

Ashbrook                   1-0-1                 5

South Point                 1-0-1                 4

East Gaston               1-1                    4

Hunter Huss               1-1                    4

Gaston Day                1-1                    3

Highland Tech            0-2                    0

North Gaston              0-2                    0