Cyclones open District playoff with win
Published 1:21 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Unicoi defender Keilet Rodriguez (10) battles for possession of the ball against Cyclones Holsten Smith (27) during the intense match.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Victor Luquin (7) from Unicoi maneuvers through Cyclones defenders to secure possession of the ball during the game.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Cyclones Will Churchill (11) charges towards the goal, evading Unicoi defenders with skillful moves in an attempt to score.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Cyclones Will Churchill (11) secures possession of the ball as they make a move towards the goal in an attempt to score.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Unicoi players strive to regain possession of the ball from Cyclones Will Churchill (11) during the match.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Elizabethton Cyclones' Will Churchill (11) takes a shot on goal while closely guarded by Unicoi defender Jorge Raygoza #4, amidst the ongoing match.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Unicoi's Jose Lopez (11) intercepts the ball from Cyclones' possession during the match.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Elizabethton's Riley Vernon (7) charges towards the goal in an attempt to make a play during the match.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent As Cyclones' Will Churchill (11) takes control of the ball, they advance towards the goal with the aim of scoring.
Tyler Scalf/Star Correspondent Unicoi defender Keilet Rodriguez (10) intercepts the ball from the Cyclones, seizing control during the match.
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
The District 1AA playoffs began Tuesday evening and the Elizabethton Cyclones boys soccer team responded with a 2-nil victory over Unicoi County at Citizens Bank Stadium.
The win guarantees a spot in the Regional playoff and EHS head coach Doug Schultz said, “We have a big game coming up on Thursday. We need to win to remain at home in the Regional. I really don’t want to consider any other option.”
The Cyclones will face Tennessee High in the District championship on Thursday night.
In this contest, it began as a defensive struggle with neither team gaining significant advantage and with EHS (7-1-1 conference) having several shots miss the mark either striking the goal post or flying over the top of the goal frame.
In the 29th minute, the Cyclones got on the scoreboard with a long shot by Will Churchill sailing over the head of Blue Devils goalkeeper Zeke Campbell. Churchill fired from beyond the 20-yard line with a high arching shot that Campbell got fingertips on but could not stop the projection of the ball into the nets.
The Cyclones had 13 set piece corner kicks in this one and were not close to scoring on any of them and Schultz said, “I would have liked to convert some of those but I think this was the best game we played this season, no question. We have some tough cookies on this team.”
The first half ended at 1-nil with EHS shutting down Unicoi County with zero shots on goal. The game ended with the Blue Devils having put just two shots against Cyclone goalkeeper Tucker Taylor and he was threatened on just one, but he punched a free kick shot on goal away.
In the 53rd minute Drake Teague scored on a fine crossing pass from Reece Vernon and he fired a low scoring shot to make it a 2-nil contest. On the play, the Cyclones approached the penalty area with Vernon driving hard to the goal when he spotted Teague to his left and he placed his pass perfectly where Teague could just fire away.
District 1AA playoff
EHS 2-0
Unicoi County 0 0 – 0
Elizabethton 1 1 – 2
Scoring summary
First Half
E – Churchill (unassisted) 29:00
Second Half
E – Teague (assist Vernon) 53:00
