Cyclones hold fort on 2-nil win over Bucs on pitch

Published 10:28 am Friday, March 24, 2023

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Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Will Churchill battles Buc defender Jacob Winfield for possession of the ball as Churchill drives within range of the U-H goal.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Using some nifty footwork, Cyclone Drake Teague works against the defense of U-H's Paul Gantley.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Riley Vernon makes a quick pass to change the direction of the offensive attack.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Elizabethton's Tyler Jenkins battles for possession of the ball in a physical match at Citizens Bank Stadium against U-H.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Connor Blevins puts the brakes on as he attempts to change direction against Buc defender Abott Ashton.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cyclone Riley Vernon prepares to put a solid foot into a pass on an offensive attack by the Cyclones.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Jonathan Espinoza rips into a kick on goal as Alex Powell applies the pressure for U-H.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Reece Vernon dribbles the ball from the left corner back toward the middle of the field with Easton Wells keeping a close eye on his ever move.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Riley Vernon attempts to angle a corner kick toward the net during Thursday's match at Citizens Bank Stadium.

Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Drake Teague of Elizabethton has to leap high to avoid a possible collision with U-H goalie Samuel McGee who had just made a stop on a Cyclone attack.

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STAR CORRESPONDENT

After a heartbreaking loss on the road at Chuckey Doak Tuesday where three goals were taken from the team by the officiating crew in a 3-2 defeat, the Elizabethton Cyclones were ready to get back on track and shake off the nightmarish memory.

But to get back in the win column, the Cyclones had to deal with University High – a team that always brings a battle mentality to the field. Utilizing a goal by Drake Teague with 6:42 left to play in the first half, the Cyclones brought the battle to the turf inside Citizens Bank Stadium to fend off the visitors from Johnson City in a 2-nil victory.

The Cyclones owned the majority of the 80-minute contest keeping the Bucs on their heels in defending attack after attack from the speedy and physical team in orange and black.

In the few attempts the Bucs did have on goal, senior goalkeeper Mason Willams turned back each attempt to earn the shutout.

As the match wore on late in the second half, it was the Cyclones who seemed to be in the best physical shape as shot after shot was put on goal and goal keeper Samuel McGee led by the Vernon brothers – Riley and Reece along with Jonathan Espinoza and Teague who finally put a nail in the coffin with a breakaway blast into the back of the net with only 21 seconds left to play in the defensive-minded match.

The victory ran the Cyclones early season record to 2-1-1.

Elizabethton will now take a much-needed early season break for the school’s Spring Break next week before returning to the pitch on Tuesday, April 4 on the road at Tennessee High for a 6 pm contest with JV action to follow.

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