CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

WARFIELD — Martin County Middle School girls soccer team will open the season at home this weekend against Greenup County Middle School.

The Lady Cards finished last season 6-2-1 and are returning all but one player to the roster.

With so many returning players, Coach Steven Gauze has high expectations from his players and hopes of having a record season.

Tryouts started in February and a record number of players came out for the team.

“It’s exciting to see so many girls interested in playing,” Gauze said. “I’ll admit that it caught me by surprise, and I worried I couldn’t get enough uniforms in for the girls first games.”

The Lady Cards have a fully rostered A- and B-team, a first for the program.

Warmer weather this spring has allowed the team to be on the field for most of February.

“This has allowed new players needed time on the field prior to their first game,” said Gauze.

Martin County traveled to Prestonsburg to play in a soccerama last weekend. The soccerama gave the Lady Cards a chance to scrimmage three different teams in 30-minute games.

“The games helped gauge what is working and what we need to improve on before the opening game,” said Gauze, adding that he was happy with how the team played but knows they have a lot to work on before this weekend’s game. 

The Lady Cards kick off the season Saturday (March 18). The A-team will start at 10 a.m. and the B-team will immediately follow.