A number of High Country Soccer Association teams opened league play over the weekend. For many of the teams, this weekend was the beginning of the quest for a league championship which would bring with it promotion to the next competitive level.Saturday, September 12
The U12 Girls Red team opened league play at home against Catawba Valley Youth Soccer Association (Hickory) on September 12. This is a new team, playing together for the first time. While the result was a 5-0 loss, they show a lot of promise and look to improve throughout the season.
Also on Saturday, the U12 Girls Navy team opened their league play with a 3-0 victory over Kernersville. Two goals by Kassandra Alvarez and one by Amber Popoola paced the team to the victory.
The U14 Boys opened their campaign in NCYSA 1st Division play with a 3-2 win on the road at CVYSA Blast in Hickory. Tucker Chasteen completed the rare hat-trick on the day, scoring his third goal in the 56th minute.
The U16 Girls opened their season with a 2-0 road loss to Highland Football Club (Asheville). While controlling the game through the first half, the Lady Avalanche were unable to convert on some key scoring opportunities. Despite strong play from Molly Wells (Watauga) and Aspen Domske (Ashe) in the center of the defense, HFC was able to break through in the 2nd half to net the two goals.
The U17 Girls began their drive for a 1st Division championship with a 1-1 draw with HFC (Asheville). With co-captain Mary Chesnut Smith (Avery) seeing limited action due to an ankle injury suffered in the CASL Shootout the previous weekend, the Lady Avalanche went into the match with a limited bench. In goal for the match was Caitlin Curley (Wilkes). Scoreless at half, the match was a hard fought battle played mostly in the center third of the field. With fewer than 5 minutes left in the game, HFC converted a penalty kick to open the scoring. In the final minute of the game, midfielder Kebrina Keys (Ashe) converted a free kick resulting from 20 yards out, placing it beautifully in the near corner of the goal to tie the game at 1-1.
The U18 Girls opened their season with a 2-0 home win over the Carolina Mountain Soccer Club (Waynesville). Tiffany Dickens (Watauga) opened the scoring in just the 10th minute on a pass from Caitlyn Soukup (Watauga). Seven minutes later, Avalanche keeper Katherine Mayhew (Watauga) got her first assist on a punt that slipped past the defense allowing Alix Cline (Wilkes) to net the second goal.
Sunday, September 13
After winning the championship at the CASL Labor Day Shootout in Raleigh the previous weekend, the U14 girls opened their league play on Sunday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes from South Gaston County. The Avalanche fell behind early in the 2nd half on a penalty kick however they were able to equalize in the 49th minute off a Madi Critcher free kick. Just three minutes later, Brittany Brown was able to capitalize on a rebound off the SGCSA keeper to net the winning goal.
The U14 Boys played their second game of the season at home against Gaston United, coming up short 1 – 0. Missing on four clear opportunities, the Avalanche were disappointed to give away a home game that saw them dominate the play throughout.
Upcoming Matches
Saturday, September 19
U14 Girls vs Charlotte Soccer Academy Torsion 2:00pm Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
U17 Girls vs North Meck Soccer Club 2:00pm @NMSC
U18 Girls vs Hendersonville Soccer Assoc. 7:00pm Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
Sunday, September 20
U11 Boys vs Highland Football Club 3:00pm Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
U14 Boys vs Triad Area Soccer Club 2:00pm @ TASC
U16 Girls vs Waxhaw 3:00pm Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex
U18 Girls vs Triad Area Soccer Club 4:00pm @TASC
