Three Lady Cardinals named to the all-tournament team
BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — Martin County will move on to the 15th Regional Tournament for the first time ever after finishing as runner-up Wednesday night in the 57th District championship.
Two free kicks resulted in Johnson Central goals as the Lady Cards, playing without the services of senior goalkeeper Marlie Fletcher, fell 2-0 to the Eagles for the second year in a row.
Central scored its first goal with 29:05 remaining in the first half. The free kick barely cleared the top bar, an extremely difficult goal to block.
Martin County’s Laura Hale took two shots within a minute of each other, but the Eagles goalie stopped both.
Lady Cardinal Caitlyn Horn took another shot with 17:08 on the clock but to no avail.
Johnson Central’s second goal came on a bad bounce after a free kick.
Martin County had 11 shots at the goal, and at least five looked to be going in. This included Horn’s, which bounced off the left crossbar.
Fletcher, whose season ended due to a car accident Sept. 25, was able to attend the district match-up and was in good spirits.
“I’m glad I could be here tonight to watch my team play,” Fletcher said. “It didn’t turn out as expected, but we tried our hardest.”
Junior Addison Duncan played in the goal and had a spectacular save with 22:31 left in the game. Three Johnson County players made a play at the box, and Duncan somehow came out with it.
Martin County held the Eagles scoreless in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Cards came up short.
Three Cardinal players received all-tournament team honors in Laura Hale, Lena Hale and Sophie McCoy.
Laura Hale sits at 27th in goals in the state with 32 and 12th in assists with 23 for the season.
“I should have capitalized on a few shots,” Laura said. “That’s on me, but we gave it a good effort.”
The all-tournament team selection was Laura Hale’s first award.
“I’ve got some big shoes to step into,” she said. “I’ve got this role model (her sister Lena). Feels like I’m on her level now.”
Her sister joked, “Maybe,” as the pair managed a smile after the tough loss.
Team captain Lena Hale spends most of her time defending the goal and leading the squad on both ends of the field.
“It was a good game. They had their defense ready to play,” said Lena, adding that it would have been nice to speed play up some on the front. “But everyone put forth a lot of effort, and I’m proud of our girls.”
Lena noted that not having Fletcher impacted the team.
“I’m glad we have Addison to step up,” she said. “She’s been doing great back there. She’s under a lot of pressure in the goal, and we really appreciate her doing what she does.”
McCoy’s tenacious play earned her the nod to the all-tournament team. She ranks fifth in the state for assists, with 26 for the season.
“It was tough to score a goal tonight,” said McCoy, who Central centered its defense around stopping in the middle. “They see that I’m a threat.”
On her selection to the all-tournament team, McCoy said, “It’s exciting to have other coaches vote for me. It means they’re watching and seeing what I can do.”
Martin County coach Steven Gauze has built an exciting soccer program.
“We had to change the way we play after losing Marlie,” Gauze said. “I hate that we made mistakes two years in a row that led to goals. We should have won this one.
Gauze said the loss hurt, but he is proud of his team.
“I’m looking forward to playing in the regional tournament,” added Gauze. “I’m happy for the girls.”
The Lady Cards will take on Prestonsburg (16-1) in the first round of the regional tournament Tuesday.
