High Country Soccer Association Special Report

High Country Soccer Association continued its advancement into the elite levels of soccer in North Carolina over the November 20^th weekend with its entry into the CASL College Showcase in Raleigh.

The CASL Showcase is one of the premier events in the country attracting top level teams from 32 states and 2 countries. The Showcase is an opportunity for players to show their skills to college coaches who attend the event looking for their next group of players. Nearly 500 college coaches were in attendance representing 326 different institutions from Division 1 to Division III and below. The event attracts college coaches from as far away as New Mexico and the Mountain West Conference and ranging in size from small private schools like Alverno College (Milwaukee) to large Division 1 schools like Oklahoma or Wake Forest.

The ’92 Lady Avalanche (U17) were definitely an unknown underdog in each game they played. However, under the leadership of head coach and Director of Coaching, Kiki Wallace, the players had done their work ahead of time, attracting a number of college coaches to the sideline to watch their play.

On Friday, November 20, the Avalanche opened play against the Ohio Metro Futbal Club Rapids from Dayton, OH. In just the third minute of their first game, Skylar Hicks (Watauga) got a pass through to Hallie Hilliard (Caldwell), who placed it in the back of the net for the Avalanche’s first score of the day. Mary Chesnut Smith (Avery) and Kebrina Keys (Ashe), were able to connect on two corner kicks for the 2^nd and 4^th goals of the half. The first took place in the 10^th minute and the 2^nd was late in the half, in the 35^th minute. In between the two corner kicks, Smith gave the ball to Christina Call (Wilkes) who took the ball deep into the field and in the process of crossing the ball out, she put enough curve on it that the ball went in the net behind the keeper. As the half wound down, the Metro were called for a foul in the box and Smith took the penalty kick. Half-time score was 5-0.

The second half was pretty evenly played with the Metro able to get on the board on a penalty kick resulting from a defensive foul in the penalty box. Final score 5 – 1 and the Avalanche had served notice that they were there to play.

On Saturday, the Avalanche knew they were in for a tough game, facing one of the top clubs in Michigan and a powerhouse in the Mid-West region – Michigan Vardar. The Avalanche played a tough game and gave Vardar quite a run but was down 3-0 by half. The second half play was much closer but the Avalanche was unable to get on the board despite some play deep into Vardar territory. The Avalanche conceded one additional goal in the half for a final score of 0-4.

On Sunday, the Avalanche went up against the Virginia Rush from Virginia Beach, VA. Again attracting a number of college coaches, the Avalanche showed up ready to play and controlled the run of play early putting some good sequences together. However, neither team was able to convert on chances and the first half finished in a scoreless draw. Ten minutes into the second half the Avalanche was able to get on the board off of a goal by Hallie Hilliard, assisted by Kebrina Keys. However, just three minutes later, the Rush were able equalize on a defensive breakdown by the Avalanche. The final score was 1-1.

Playing in the CASL Showcase were: Ashe County – sophomore Kebrina Keys; Avery County – Emily Banner and co-captain Mary Chesnut Smith, both juniors; Caldwell County – juniors Lauren Crouse, Hallie Hilliard and Miranda McCrary; Watauga County juniors Sam Byrd, Ashlyn Henson, Mary Kate Huffman, and co-captain Bethany Miller and sophomores Kendyl Baird, Skylar Hicks, Katelyn Mullenix and Jeanette Vines; and from Wilkes County, junior Christina Call and sophomore Caitlin Curley.

The Avalanche will continue to play together throughout the spring in a few select tournaments including events in Virginia and Indiana.