BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Make it two in a row. The Lady Cards soccer team took down district foe Johnson Central 4-1 and Lawrence County 3-0 this week. 

Laura Hale wasted no time against Lawrence County on Thursday night. 

Hale challenged LC’s goalkeeper to make her way out of the net. After a bad bounce, the goalie missed and Hale followed it in with only 5:15 expired in the first half.

Defense would be tight for both squads as neither scored the rest of the half. 

Hale came out hot again. She booted in two goals in the first portion of the second half. 

The ball stayed in Martin County’s favor the majority of the game due to great defense on the Cardinal backend.

Marlie Fletcher had her third shutout of the season at goalkeeper with six saves.

Hale pulled out a hat trick with three goals. She or Sophia McCoy have scored a goal in 8 of 10 games this season. One of them has scored at least three goals in five of those contests. 

McCoy assisted on one of Hale’s goals against Lawrence County. Lena Hale and Hailey Damron picked up an assist on the other two.

“We put it together and I’m happy,” Martin County Coach Steven Gauze said. “During practice this week, we worked on nothing but talking and passing. It’s been a whole focus the whole season and I’m proud of our team.”

Hale is a sophomore for the Cards on the front line.

“We’ve been improving a lot recently. Our defense is keeping up with other teams; our passing is there,” she said. “I can count on my teammates to be there for a back post run.”

On her three goals and her teammates’ defense, Hale said, “It’s the best feeling ever. The defenders have a great captain back there who is communicating and keeping the pressure up. They’re hanging right with them.”

Fans need some hats cocked and ready to go because McCoy garnered a hat trick against Johnson Central. Hale picked up a goal in this one and assisted on two of McCoy’s.

Fletcher racked up 12 saves for the evening and only allowed one goal in a Cards 4-1 victory.

Coach Gauze’s squad is a serious contender in the district and region.

“Our team keeps playing hard. We moved the ball a lot better tonight,” said Gauze. “We were more patient and didn’t rush, so our passing was good, too.”

Catch the Cards in action in tonight’s All “A” Classic at Stonecrest in Prestonsburg for an 8 p.m. kickoff.