Gazette Cup Day 1 roundup: Jaguars win; Rams, Warriors tie

LOWELL — It took the defending champions a long time to pull away in the Gazette Cup opener. All but the last four minutes to be exact.

Price Martin found the back of the net four minutes before the final whistle, giving Forestview a 2-0 win over Hunter Huss on Monday at Poston Park.

“We had a hard time finishing at first, but we got the win in the end and that’s all that matters,” said Martin, a senior captain.

Highland Tech and East Gaston tied 2-2 in Monday’s nightcap. All four of Monday’s participants will resume the tournament Wednesday. Tonight’s action begins with Ashbrook taking on Gaston Day at 6, followed by South Point against North Gaston at 8.

Forestview (2-0) outshot Hunter Huss 16-2 but had difficulty making their opportunities count. David Gibbons scored on a breakaway and an assist by Bradley Allf for a 1-0 lead in the first half.

Martin’s goal came courtesy of a Cody Bridges assist as Forestview put itself in good position to reach the championship game. The Jaguars earned four points for the shutout victory and will play again Wednesday at 6 against Highland Tech.

“We always know with Huss there’s going to be a hard-fought match,” said Forestview’s first-year coach Trey McKeown, a 1996 Hunter Huss graduate. “I did expect a very tough game.”

Although Hunter Huss (1-1) came away empty, coach Mike Pond was pleased with his team’s effort.

“Both teams fought really hard,” Hunter Huss coach Michael Pond said. “Our guys came out and decided to not back down.”

Hunter Huss plays against Wednesday at 8 against East Gaston.

Highland Tech 2, East Gaston 2 — After a scoreless first half, Monday’s second game suddenly turned into a back-and-forth shootout.

Highland Tech had the lead until East Gaston scored about five minutes before the final whistle to forge a tie.

Aaron Marlowe put Highland Tech on the board first with a breakaway goal off a Michael Gomez assist midway through the second half. Seven minutes later, Josh O’Meara tied it with a penalty kick.

Only five minutes elapsed before Highland Tech answered with an Andrew Harris goal that slipped below the reach of the East Gaston goalkeeper. But O’Meara tallied his second goal (unassisted) just in the knick of time.

Matt Farmer tallied eight saves in goal for Highland Tech.

“Considering we graduated our entire back line, our defense is a work in progress,” Highland Tech coach Bree Dumont said. “But I thought especially David May who is a freshman played really well for us back there. I’m proud of them tonight.”

Brandon Greene logged 16 saves in goal for East Gaston — a bright spot for the Warriors in what coach Josh Allen thought overall was a poor effort.

“I expected Highland to be competitive, and I told the boys that from the start. I didn’t expect them to outwork us,” Allen said.

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