Gaston Christian looks poised for another deep Gazette Cup run; routs North Gaston in opener
By Michael Hughessports@gastongazette.com
GASTONIA — Last year's runners-up are at it again after a strong opening game in the 2016 Gazette Cup soccer tournament.
Gaston Christian ran by, and rolled over, North Gaston in Monday's first game, winning 7-0 as six players scored for the Eagles, who are hosting this year's tourney.
Christian returns all but one player from last year's team that fell to Ashbrook in the Gazette Cup finals.
"We're still relatively young," said Eagles coach Justin Huitt, "but we've got a couple of upperclassmen this year who are doing some good things for us. The young guys are moving the ball well and they're working off the ball well. It should be a fun year."
Gaston Christian junior Alfredo Cacho took advantage of North Gaston goalkeeper Carter Rushing's miss-kick to chip in the game's first goal at the 35:28 mark of the first half. The only other first-half score came when Eagles sophomore Frank Lopez fired a shot from close in that deflected off teammate J.P. Rooney and found the net at 8:21 for a 2-0 halftime lead.
Nearly five minutes into the second half, sophomore Colton Brewer dribbled right and sent a twisting kick into the net's left corner to make it 3-0, and was quickly followed by junior Jacob Foster's solo shot for a commanding 4-0 lead at 32:22.
Sophomore Davis McBee scored the first of his two goals at 6:58 after an assist from sophomore Will Farris, and was assisted again by classmate Nate Hoover at 4:11.
The Eagles kept the pressure on and never quit on the evening. Rooney, one of only two seniors on the 18-man squad, sent a high kick that sailed over the head of Rushing just before the final horn sounded.
"They're a hungry bunch," said a happy Huitt. "I was happy for (Rooney). He normally plays center/back, so it was good to see him get (a score)."
Gaston Christian plays again on Wednesday against the winner of Monday's nightcap between Hunter Huss and Gaston Day School.
By Michael Hughessports@gastongazette.com
GASTONIA — Last year's runners-up are at it again after a strong opening game in the 2016 Gazette Cup soccer tournament.
Gaston Christian ran by, and rolled over, North Gaston in Monday's first game, winning 7-0 as six players scored for the Eagles, who are hosting this year's tourney.
Christian returns all but one player from last year's team that fell to Ashbrook in the Gazette Cup finals.
"We're still relatively young," said Eagles coach Justin Huitt, "but we've got a couple of upperclassmen this year who are doing some good things for us. The young guys are moving the ball well and they're working off the ball well. It should be a fun year."
Gaston Christian junior Alfredo Cacho took advantage of North Gaston goalkeeper Carter Rushing's miss-kick to chip in the game's first goal at the 35:28 mark of the first half. The only other first-half score came when Eagles sophomore Frank Lopez fired a shot from close in that deflected off teammate J.P. Rooney and found the net at 8:21 for a 2-0 halftime lead.
Nearly five minutes into the second half, sophomore Colton Brewer dribbled right and sent a twisting kick into the net's left corner to make it 3-0, and was quickly followed by junior Jacob Foster's solo shot for a commanding 4-0 lead at 32:22.
Sophomore Davis McBee scored the first of his two goals at 6:58 after an assist from sophomore Will Farris, and was assisted again by classmate Nate Hoover at 4:11.
The Eagles kept the pressure on and never quit on the evening. Rooney, one of only two seniors on the 18-man squad, sent a high kick that sailed over the head of Rushing just before the final horn sounded.
"They're a hungry bunch," said a happy Huitt. "I was happy for (Rooney). He normally plays center/back, so it was good to see him get (a score)."
Gaston Christian plays again on Wednesday against the winner of Monday's nightcap between Hunter Huss and Gaston Day School.
