The U18 Lady Avalanche are down to the last two regular season games; October 18’s game was to have been their final regular season game ever but a rescheduled game for this Tuesday, October 19, leaves one more game on the schedule.
Before the weekend started, the Lady Avalanche thought they were playing the top two teams in their final games. However, games on Saturday, October 16, upset the standings a bit. The Lady Avalanche knew, barring an amazing turn-around by one other team, they couldn’t claim the league’s No. 1 spot but that the number two spot could be theirs if they finish the season strong with two wins.
With most of the team present, the Lady Avalanche took on the North Mecklenburg Soccer Club (NMSC) Red at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. The NMSC Red team came out strong and the Avalanche knew they had their hands full. Sixteen minutes into the game, the Reds ripped a ball towards goal, which junior keeper Caitlyn Curley was able to stop but not control; it was tapped in for a goal.
The NMSC Reds continued to attack but late in the first half the Lady Avalanche dug in and started to beat the Reds to the ball and mount an offense of their own. In the 37th minute senior Mary Chesnut Smith sent a hard ball which neither the Reds keeper nor another defender could stop. The score remained tied at 1-1 at half.
In the second half, the Lady Avalanche continued to pick up momentum; in the 56th minute junior Kebrina Keys dropped the ball back to Smith who let another ball rip for a her second goal of the day.
Although the Lady Avalanche continued to attack, both defenses buckled down and neither allowed another goal. Avalanche keeper Emily Haas communicated well with her teammates making sure all of the Reds were marked.
For five seniors this was their final home game with the HCSA. Miranda McCrary (Hibriten HS) and Emily Banner (Avery HS), joined the team when Coach Kiki Wallace recruited them three years ago. Bethany Miller (Watauga HS), returned to the Lady Avalanche at that time, but had played several seasons with HCSA previously. Sam Byrd (Watauga HS) and Mary Chesnut Smith (Avery HS) have played with the Avalanche and on the same team for nine seasons, starting the spring of 6th grade.
The Lady Avalanche traveled to Catawba College on Tuesday, October 19, to take on the FCCA Rowan Elite. These final games are important for their seeding in the Kepner President’s State Cup tournament which is played over three weekends starting October 30.
Before the weekend started, the Lady Avalanche thought they were playing the top two teams in their final games. However, games on Saturday, October 16, upset the standings a bit. The Lady Avalanche knew, barring an amazing turn-around by one other team, they couldn’t claim the league’s No. 1 spot but that the number two spot could be theirs if they finish the season strong with two wins.
With most of the team present, the Lady Avalanche took on the North Mecklenburg Soccer Club (NMSC) Red at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex. The NMSC Red team came out strong and the Avalanche knew they had their hands full. Sixteen minutes into the game, the Reds ripped a ball towards goal, which junior keeper Caitlyn Curley was able to stop but not control; it was tapped in for a goal.
The NMSC Reds continued to attack but late in the first half the Lady Avalanche dug in and started to beat the Reds to the ball and mount an offense of their own. In the 37th minute senior Mary Chesnut Smith sent a hard ball which neither the Reds keeper nor another defender could stop. The score remained tied at 1-1 at half.
In the second half, the Lady Avalanche continued to pick up momentum; in the 56th minute junior Kebrina Keys dropped the ball back to Smith who let another ball rip for a her second goal of the day.
Although the Lady Avalanche continued to attack, both defenses buckled down and neither allowed another goal. Avalanche keeper Emily Haas communicated well with her teammates making sure all of the Reds were marked.
For five seniors this was their final home game with the HCSA. Miranda McCrary (Hibriten HS) and Emily Banner (Avery HS), joined the team when Coach Kiki Wallace recruited them three years ago. Bethany Miller (Watauga HS), returned to the Lady Avalanche at that time, but had played several seasons with HCSA previously. Sam Byrd (Watauga HS) and Mary Chesnut Smith (Avery HS) have played with the Avalanche and on the same team for nine seasons, starting the spring of 6th grade.
The Lady Avalanche traveled to Catawba College on Tuesday, October 19, to take on the FCCA Rowan Elite. These final games are important for their seeding in the Kepner President’s State Cup tournament which is played over three weekends starting October 30.
