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Mustang booters complete first week by nipping Titans
Smoky Mountain completed the first week of the soccer season 3-0 with a 3-2 win over McDowell last Thursday at Western Carolina.
“It was a good win,” Coach Dolphus Brown said. “Coming out of the week 3-0 made us extremely happy. We’re 2-A, and they’re 4-A. We talk about this kind of thing, and try to energize our kids.”
The Mustangs scored first on a goal by Joey Cox off an assist from Martin Davis at the 12-minute mark.
“Martin made a nice pass to Joey coming out of the midfield,” Brown said. “Joey took it just inside the 18 and shot from just right of center from about 13 yards.”
SM led 2-0 at halftime after Grant Schallock’s goal with five minutes to play.
“That was just a great play by Grant,” the coach said. “He got the ball at the top of the box. The keeper came out and Grant took the shot. The ball slid under the keeper, and Grant stepped over him and tapped it in from 8 yards.”
The Titans cut the gap to 2-1 when Robert Montoya scored at the 64-minute mark.
“We just did not mark the kid, and he shot it from outside the box,” Brown said.
The Mustangs picked up an insurance goal at the 71-minute mark when Cox scored for the second time making it 3-1. Matt Dougherty and John Brown provided assists.
“Matt made a throw-in, and the ball went to John, who flicked it back with his head,” the coach said. “Joey settled it and shot it.”
McDowell made it interesting on Paul Limone’s goal with five minutes to play.
“He dribbled by some people and made a nice shot from the left side to the near post from 10 yards,” Brown said.
SM had a 14-6 advantage in shots. Cody Bryson and Eli Corwin both made three saves for the Mustangs. Ray Hernandez of the Titans recorded eight.
“Cody had a very strong game in goal,” Brown said. “Martin plays so hard and creates so much for us. Ian Youmans is becoming a classic marking back defender, and Cort Smith is getting better every game.”
The Mustang JVs fell to 0-2 with a 1-0 loss.
“Each game we’ve played has been against a tougher team, and we have played them closer,” Coach Chris Tyson said. “We’re seeing improvement all the way around.”
Goalie Jeremy Cauley and Brandon Norris were singled out for their play.
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