Cards host senior night

BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — Martin County girls soccer collected two wins last week, taking down Johnson Central 5-3 on the road and Belfry 10-2 at home.

With the victories, the Lady Cards improved to 13-1 on the season.

Martin County visited Johnson Central on Sept. 23, where freshman Jaz Jude powered the attack with two goals and two assists. Junior Faith Caldwell followed with two goals, while senior Maja Alm-Arnesen chipped in a goal and an assist. Freshman Hope Caldwell contributed an assist and Bri Muncy racked up eight saves.

Head coach Steven Gauze said his team’s sluggish first half against Johnson Central was a test of resilience.

“The game was definitely exciting,” Gauze said. “In the first half we came out with zero energy.”

He attributed it to the team’s Final Four appearance the previous weekend.

“With such an emotional high, you mentally are just not ready to play the next game,” said Gauze. “So many mistakes—didn’t pressure on defense and gave up three goals in the first half.”

Down 3-0 at halftime, Coach Gauze motivated his Lady Cardinals in the locker room.

“I told them they could still win the game and this was going to show me what they were made of,” he said.
“It must have been a wake-up call to them. In the second half we came out and played like we normally do. Honestly, they impressed me. It shows how good we can be.”

Two nights later, Martin County dominated Belfry on Senior Night in Inez.

Seniors Tessa Gantt, Emily Ledford and Maja Alm-Arnesen were recognized before the game.

Caldwell scored five goals with four assists to lead the way. Freshman Annaleigh Davis followed with two goals and two assists. Alm-Arnesen and Hope Caldwell each tallied a goal and an assist while Jude provided an assist.

The Cards were scheduled to close out their regular season Tuesday (Sept. 30) at Russell. Details were not available at press time.