WCMS ties Avery Trace 5-5
The Warren County Middle School boys soccer team put its undefeated record on the line Thursday night as the Pioneers took on Cookeville’s Avery Trace at Pistole Park.
“This was a nail-bitter,” said coach Matt Jackson. “Both teams played very hard and we are very happy to come away with a tie to keep our undefeated record intact.”
As the pressure mounted to keep their record perfect, the Pioneers opened the first half a little too tense on defense. Avery Trace — which handed WCMS its only loss last year — struck early in the period, as the Pioneers found themselves trailing 1-0 with just five minutes off the clock.
Warren County had few chances to score early in the game and Avery Trace kept the Pioneer defenders scrambling for position. Avery Trace scored two more goals as the Pioneers fell behind 3-0 with just under 10 minutes left in the first half.
But Warren County settled down on offense and the Pioneers closed the gap before the half. Tony Garibaldi scored with eight minutes left on the clock and just before the half Mauro Ponce pulled the Pioneers with in one at 3-2.
In the second half the Pioneers’ Garibaldi tied the game at 3-3 when he found an open field in front of him with just six minutes off the clock. Avery Trace regained the lead with 20 minutes left in the game when their striker found an open net.
The Pioneers kicked their offense in to high gear when Garibaldi took over the game for Warren County adding two more goals with 10 minutes left on the clock for a total of four goals on the day.
Warren County’s defense did a good job of clearing the ball and turning it back over to the offense. But with five minutes left to play Avery Trace tied the game at 5-5 as time quickly ticked off the clock to end the game.
The Pioneers are now 6-0-1 on the year, and will be at home Friday against Algood at 5 p.m.