8th Grade Night successful for Jr. Lady Cyclones on pitch
Published 7:49 pm Wednesday, September 14, 2022
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STAR CORRESPONDENT
On a night set aside to honor the T.A. Dugger Jr. Lady Cyclone soccer team, it was only fitting that a pair of eighth graders pave the way for a victory on the pitch against the visiting Unicoi Co. Jr. Lady Blue Devils.
Behind a first half hat trick from Maddix Morton who totaled four in the contest and a pair of scores from Liahna Nave, the Jr. Lady Cyclones routed their visitors from Erwin 7-0.
Morton scored her first goal at the 3:15 minute of the first half to stake her team to a 1-nil lead. Nave got in on the scoring at the 9:12 minute of the first half and quickly the Jr. Lady Cyclones were in the driver’s seat, 2-nil.
The athletic Morton would then connect on goals two and three just 75 seconds apart as she sent a shot past the Unicoi Co. goalie at the 21:40 minute of the half and then followed that up at the 22:55 minute to give T.A. Dugger the 4-nil lead at the half.
During halftime, the eighth-grade players and their families were recognized for their contribution to the TAD program.
Coming out after festivities, Morton picked right back up where she left off as she pounded the ball into the back of the net to extend the lead to 5-nil at the 35:58 minute.
Isla Grindstaff got into the scoring column at the 49:00 minute as she booted a ball off a ricochet into the back of the net for a 6-nil advantage for the Jr. Lady Cyclones.
Nave completed the scoring for TAD when she collected her second goal at the 53:55 minute to seal the victory, 7-nil.
Coach Samantha Husbands then went to her bench to finish out the contest.
“When we came in and began coaching, these eighth graders were the first class that we had as sixth graders,” said a smiling Husbands after the contest. “So watching them grow and develop as players and individuals has been very special.
“We have 13 eighth graders which is an amazing number because it shows the growth of the program.”