The Gary Terry Classic started with a bang as the Lady Jackets’ soccer team blanked Scott County 7-0 Monday, Aug. 11.
Woodford County was the aggressor from the start, controlling possession and spending much of the opening minutes pushing the ball into Scott County territory.
“Tonight was a great start,” said WCHS coach Brandon Cummons.
“A lot of kids got on the field and that will be needed throughout the season. With one game down, we still have a lot to work on, but that was a very encouraging start. The girls are hydrating and taking care of themselves. Recovery is an important part of the process. With three games this week, being able to use the bench will be important to keep everyone as fresh as possible.”
If there were any nerves with the start of a new season, they disappeared quickly after the opening whistle.
Anna Dorough needed just a minute to put the Lady Jackets on the board. Dorough got a look at the goal and sent a shot over the head of the Scott County keeper for the first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Woodford County barely had time to celebrate before it struck again.
Less than a minute later, Erin Myers found the back of the net to make it 2-0, giving the Lady Jackets two goals in the opening two minutes.
The quick start was only the beginning as Woodford continued to keep the pressure on the Scott County defense.
The Lady Jackets continued to get looks at the goal. Michelle Gomez and Ivy Porter both had near misses as Woodford looked to add to its early lead.
More than halfway through the first half, Addison Cummons broke through, beating the Scott County keeper to increase Woodford’s lead to 3-0.
The score remained there through halftime, but the Lady Jackets didn’t wait long to get going again in the second half.
Freshman Afton Hall scored after knocking home a deflection off the keeper for her first high school goal.
After some high fives from her teammates, the freshman wasn’t finished, lofting a ball from about 10 yards out over the head of the keeper to give Woodford County a 5-0 lead.
Avery Sayre joined the scoring to make it 6-0 before Hall put the finishing touch on a memorable high school debut. The freshman found the back of the net for the third time, completing the hat trick and giving Woodford County its final 7-0 margin.
“I was really excited to get my first high school goal and just happy to be part of the varsity team this year,” said Hall. “We are always working on communicating and moving the ball well. We want to build from the back and open opportunities for our teammates.”
Seven goals, a shutout and a freshman hat trick gave the Lady Jackets plenty to like in their first game of the season. Annastyn McIntosh had two assists, with Hall, Porter, Sayre and Pyper Howard adding an assist each.
The Lady Jackets were scheduled to play game two of the Gary Terry Classic Wednesday, Aug. 12 against Cooper High School.