BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

PIKEVILLE — Martin County soccer won in a 10-0 landslide victory at Pike Central behind scoring from six Cardinal players Thursday.

The Cards improve to 5-2 in the 15th Region standings.

Sophomore Laura Hale led the attack with four goals and two assists. Lena Hale booted in two goals for the evening.

Sophie McCoy assisted on five goals and scored a goal of her own.

Marlie Fletcher had two saves at goalkeeper to earn the shutout.

Senior midfielder Emilia Ek scored her first goal of the season.

Junior Caitlyn Horn smashed in a goal and had an assist.

Hailey Damron knocked in a goal to finish out the mercy win over Central.

“They played very well,” Martin County coach Steven Gauze said. “We have had several games canceled by other teams. We haven’t played in over a week, so I was worried. It took us a little while to get on track, but once they started connecting passes, we took over the game.”

Gauze spoke highly of Hale’s performance.

“I think the extra time off from games gave her shin pain time to ease up. She is a big physical player, and she looked more like herself in this game. She was quick to the ball and rarely turned it over,” he said. “Even with two to three players on her and all the contact she takes, she still found ways to either score or get an assist.”

The Cards hosted district rival Paintsville on Tuesday.

“The game against Paintsville is very big for us, so I need everybody playing well,” said Coach Gauze.

Game details weren’t available at press time.