Soccer action: Tigers experience mixed results in recent matches
By Russ Gordon
The Hartselle Lady Tigers won the Lakeshore Shootout in Homewood this past weekend defeating Pelham 2-0, Mortimer Jordan 5-2 on Friday and Gulf Shores 5-1 on Saturday to earn the championship.
After suffering a home loss to Athens to open the season and then a week without playing, the Lady Tigers were eager to travel to Birmingham to compete in the Bronze Division of the Lakeshore Shootout. In four previous trips to this tournament, Hartselle has never won it all, but last year were undefeated yet came up short of being the champions.
Hartselle 2, Pelham 0
Courtesy photo/Hartselle HS Boys Soccer Scorers and goalies, left to right are Luke Vinson, Owen Bennich, Ethan Medendorp, Luke Minnon, Alex Williams and Eli Pinion.
In game 1, Pelham entered the game with a 3-1-1 record and had outscored their opponents 19-5. The Lady Tigers were unfazed by this and kept a clean sheet to a win against the 6A Pelham Panthers with goals scored by Kylie French and Kennedy Vest.
Hartselle 5, Mortimer Jordan 2
In game 2, the Lady Tigers faced off against the Mortimer Jordan (6A) Blue Devils who entered the game 3-0 on the season with all their wins at home. The Lady Blue Devils scored 12 goals in their first three games. The Lady Tigers roared onto the pitch and dispatched the Blue Devils with goals by Kylie French, Lanie Shaw (2), Maddy Henry and Kaitlyn Dolbeer.
Hartselle 5, Gulf Shores 1
In game 3, the Lady Tigers put the hurt on the Lady Dolphins with a sharp 5-1 victory. The high-flying effort showcased goals by Allie Beatty, Kaitlyn Dolbeer, Kennedy Vest and Maddy Henry had a brace.
Following the Shootout, Hartselle coach Chasity Hughes said, “Our team displayed incredible chemistry, discipline and perseverance this weekend. We’re excited to get back to work.”
Senior and center defender, Lanie Shaw, made the all-tournament team. The Lady Tigers will square off against Danville in the first round of the Morgan County Tournament Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.
BOYS
Scottsboro 2, Hartselle 1
The Wildcats scored a goal early in the game to take the lead 1-0. The Tigers responded shortly after with a goal by Luke Vinson off a corner kick to tie the game. Hartselle’s offense controlled the rest of the game with many chances to score but were unable to finish against a scrappy defense. Late in the second half a Scottsboro player outran the Tiger defense and kicked a perfect shot into an upper corner of the net. It was the only shot on goal for the Wildcats in the second half, but it was enough to seal the victory.
Hartselle 9, Brewer 0
The Tigers took their first shot on goal one minute into the game. It was a harbinger of things to come with a domineering performance by the Tigers. Owen Bennich started the scoring fest 12 minutes into the game with a header off an assist by Ethan Medendorp.
Goalie Eli Pinion had two stellar saves in the first half and another in the second half to claim the clean sheet. Alex Williams also played goalie late in the second half.
Luke Vinson scored a solo with 16:17 on the clock. Ten minutes later Medendorp scored with an assist from Vinson. Luke Minnon added his name to the list of Tigers who have scored goals this season with an assist from Vinson. Medendorp added another score with an assist by Minnon to bring the score to 5-0 at halftime.
Bennich scored twice more in the second half, one with an assist from Vinson, his third, to bring the score to 7-0 with 10 minutes remaining. Vinson recorded his second goal of the night six minutes later. Medendorp put the exclamation point on the game with the final shot at the buzzer.
Luke Vinson had two goals (a brace) and three assists to lead the offense. Ethan Medendorp had three goals and an assist, Owen Bennich had three goals and Luke Minnon had a goal and an assist.
JV BOYS
Hartselle 7, Brewer 0
The Hartselle JV Boys continued their unbeaten streak with their third clean sheet recorded by goalie John Vinson. They have outscored their opponents 18-0. Kevin Davis scored a goal and both Brett Hatfield and Elliott Barnes scored three each. Barnes is the team’s leading scorer with seven on the season.
The Varsity Boys play at Hazel Green Feb. 19 and will play Danville in the Morgan County Tournament Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
