By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Scoring six unanswered goals in the first five minutes of a soccer match is a good pathway to winning — and that is exactly what the Watauga High School men’s varsity accomplished on Oct. 13 in what turned out to be an 8-0 thumping of visiting Freedom (Morganton).
Senior striker Asher Hampton recorded a “hat trick” (three goals) and five other Pioneers got into the scoring romp with individual goals, including senior Shiris Kandel, senior Ben Myers, senior Lucas Hamilton, junior Evan Mawhinney and junior Trace Martinez.
Koa Lancaster, David Ganley and Martinez were each credited with an assist.
Even though head coach Josh Honeycutt emptied his bench and gave several reserves valuable playing time as the Pioneers gear up for a probable trip to the state playoffs, the 8-0 advantage Watauga secured by halftime held up for the duration of the match. Pesky defense and grounded possession passes are hallmarks of the Pioneers’ style of play and it was clearly evident against the Patriots.
Now 11-3-3 overall and 6-0 in Northwestern Conference play with four home games against NWC teams they defeated in the first round on the road in the home-at-home series, the Pioneers are in the drivers seat for the conference championship and a high seed in the 6A state playoffs if they can stay true to form and win out in Jack Groce Stadium.
Remaining league schedule:
- Oct. 15 – vs. South Caldwell, 6 p.m.(previously won, Sept. 29, 3-0)
- Oct. 20 – vs. Alexander Central, 6 p.m. (previously won, Oct. 1, 4-0)
- Oct. 22 – vs. McDowell, 6 p.m. (previously won, Oct. 6, 4-0)
- Oct. 27 – vs. St. Stephens, 6 p.m. (previously won, Oct. 8, 4-0)
BONUS PHOTOS (Click on any image for larger image and Slide Show Mode)
All photographic images by David Rogers for High Country Sports
