By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — It was a warm and clear sunny day on April 1, but there was a storm brewing at Jack Groce Stadium. The Watauga women’s soccer teams blew past Northwestern Conference rival South Caldwell, 7-0 (varsity) and 7-1 (junior varsity).

VARSITY – No foolin’ around

It might have been April Fool’s Day for the mainstream world but the Pioneers weren’t foolin’ around in this one. By the time 12 minutes had ticked off the game clock, Watauga had already scored three goals and were dominating play, maintaining possession largely in their attacking third of the field.

Sequence

Just minutes into the game, the Pioneers were awarded a penalty kick and sophomore  Sammy Morgan lived up to her jersey number (10) to rip the ball perfectly past the Spartan goalkeeper to draw the proverbial first blood for the home team. By the time senior forward Morgan Flynt laced a shot across the face of the Spartan-defended goal and under the outstretched arms of a diving goalkeeper for the Pioneers’ third goal, the outcome was all but decided if only Watauga would keep up the pressure and attack.

Which they did, including with plenty of valuable field time for starters and reserves alike.

“It was great to pick up our first conference win last night and get the back half of our season started on the right foot,” said Watauga head coach Chris Tarnowski after the game. “Spreading the scoring around to six different players really showcases just how hard the entire team has been working over the past few weeks, and highlights their unselfish play. This group is so supportive of one another and really focused on the important aspects of the sport: empathy and trust for their teammates, integrity on and off the field, and a team-first attitude. We’re really proud as coaches of their progression since the start of the season.”

Goals Scored:

• • Savannah Rogers (2 goals scored)
  • Savannah Duvall (1)
  • Sammy Morgan (1)
  • Morgan Flynt (1)
  • Chloe Weigl (1)
  • Emma Raymond (1)

Assists:

• • Savannah Rogers (3)
  • Morgan Flynt (1)
  • Emma Raymond (1)
  • Chloe Weigl (1)

JUNIOR VARSITY – Still got it

Not having played a game in the preceding two weeks because of weather and varsity-only scheduling decisions, the Watauga Junior Varsity head coach Jamie Raymond wondered how her charges would respond in the Northwestern Conference opener in hosting the South Caldwell JVs. Call the Pioneer JVs’ 7-1 curtain-raiser win a precursor for the 7-0 varsity performance that followed.

“The improvement that we have seen in these young athletes is both startling and gratifying,” said Raymond. “Some of our players have never played soccer before, so their lack of understanding the importance of moving the ball around early in the season was understandable. But the progress they have made as a team is remarkable and I have to give a lot of credit to the time we have spent watching film and with the varsity players explaining in their own words how they move the ball around to keep possession and attack.”

Goals:

• • Lilly Wilson (3)
  • Lindsay Wade (3)
  • Emma McKibbin (1)

Assists:

• • Lilly Wilson (2)
  • Parker Strickland (1)
  • Marlene Alcaraz (1)

Watauga Varsity is now 4-3-1 overall, 1-0 in Northwestern Conference play. The Pioneer JVs are 3-2-1 overall, 1-0 in NWC. Next up for both teams are home matches vs. 4A rival Alexander Central on Friday, April 4. The JV curtain-raiser is scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with the varsity nightcap to follow.