Lady Cards soccer secures No. 1 seed
BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — The Lady Cards soccer players have etched their names in history. The team earned a 15th Region tournament berth for the first time in Martin County history Sept. 20 in an 11-2 win over Paintsville at Cardinal Stadium. They also secured the No. 1 seed in next week’s 57th District tournament.
The game served as “Senior Night,” and Martin County Coach Steven Gauze honored seniors Marlie Fletcher, Savannah Young, Brynnalyn Smith, Kaley Maynard, Emilia Ek and Xin-Chen Hung.
“I’m very happy for our seniors to win not only our senior night game, but for the first time ever, we finish the season ranked first in district,” Gauze said. “We will advance to the district tournament championship and on to regional tournament for the first time ever as well.”
The Cards also shut out Lawrence County 10-0 Thursday.
Laura Hale had two outstanding performances. She scored four goals against Paintsville with five assists and had a season-high six goals in the win against LC.
“She’s strong and fast,” said Gauze. “I’ve always felt she could score a lot of goals. She and Sophie are really starting to click.”
Caitlyn Horn pulled out her first hat trick of the season with three goals versus Paintsville. She assisted on two goals at Lawrence County.
Sophie McCoy has continued her distinguished play throughout the season. She scored two goals and had five assists on senior night and pulled out another three goals and four assists against the Bulldogs.
Junior Tamara Workman booted in her first goal of the season versus Lawrence County.
Lena Hale and Emilia Ek each knocked one in against the Tigers.
“Lena is great on the backline. I don’t know what I would do without her,” commented Gauze, who took over the program a few years ago and has built a powerhouse of a team.
“The whole team knew it was a must-win game,” added Gauze on the win over Paintsville. “We have been playing well lately and practicing hard to get ready for this game. We played well, but when they come off the field with smiles on their faces and tears of joy, you know it’s a good night.”
Fletcher has had an excellent season as the goalkeeper. She has five shutouts under her belt this year. She had five saves against Paintsville and Lawrence County and earned the shutout in Louisa.
The goalie was in an automobile accident Sunday that required her to have emergency surgery. She will require rehab and further surgeries that will end her exceptional Cardinal career.
Coach Gauze had a heavy heart after the news of Fletcher.
“Marlie started playing soccer in the eighth grade. It’s hard to find a good keeper because you have to be willing to stand in front of a ball being blasted at you and mentally strong enough to have people yell at you if you miss. On the physical side, you must be able to jump and dive as well,” said Gauze.
“She has trained very hard since starting and was having a great year for us. I depend on my seniors so much, and Marlie was someone that I could count on. She attended every practice, and she was happy, upbeat and so excited about the upcoming district tournament. We are praying she can at least attend because she is a big reason we are there.”
Martin County (season 8-6, region 7-2, district 2-0) will play the winner of Johnson Central (7-5, 4-2, 1-1) and Paintsville (4-10, 2-6, 0-2) in the 57th District tournament. The Lady Cards will take the field at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 at Johnson Central.
