After a trio of tough losses to open the new soccer season at the Smoky Mountain Classic, Walker Valley turned things around with three straight shutout wins and a tight runner-up finish in last week's Cleveland Classic.
Compiling 27 points, the Mustangs were just a point behind tournament champion Oak Ridge, which also won all three of its matches.
Outscoring its opponents 10-0, Walker Valley opened the Classic play with a 2-0 win over Signal Mountain Thursday, before blasting Chattanooga Prep 7-0 Friday and taking a hard fought 1-0 win over Knox Catholic Saturday.
Oak Ridge (3-2) notched victories over Cleveland, Ooltewah and CSAS by a combined 9-1 tally.
Like the Mustangs, the host Blue Raiders snapped a losing streak to open the season with a pair of wins in their final two matches in the event.
After also dropping a trio of Smoky Mountain Classic matches, Cleveland (2-4) fell 4-0 to Oak Ridge Thursday before rebounding to beat CSLA 3-0 and Hixson 3-1.
While Walker Valley will open District 5-AAA play Tuesday evening at 7 when McMinn County (3-2-1) comes to "The Corral" turf.
Cleveland return to its home pitch Thursday when Signal Mountain (2-2) comes to town, while the Mustangs travel to CSTHEA (0-2).
Bradley Central (3-2-2) suffered its first losses of the season Saturday at the Soddy-Daisy Tournament. After shutting out the hosts 3-0 Friday, the Bears returns for a pair of matches Saturday, falling to Cumberland County 3-1 and Lenoir City 2-1.
After traveling to Rhea County (3-2-1) Tuesday, Bradley will entertain Ooltewah (0-3) Thursday, in Bear Stadium.
MUSTANGS 1
IRISH 0
"In an intense battle between the two teams, Walker Valley finished the tournament taking down Knox Catholic," Mustang wrangler Ethan Taylor related. "The game saw multiple cards given in which Knox Catholic eventually had to play a man down for more than half the game.
"Adding to the drama, was a missed PK by Knox Catholic in the final two minutes of the first half.
"Second half brought many challenges for the Mustangs as they had to battle against windy conditions and a hungry Knox Catholic team," he continued.
"The only goal of the match came from senior Grey Davies in the 51st minute who pressured Knox Catholic's goalie and defenders into making a mistake which he then capitalized on.
"The remainder of the game turned into a battle of wills between the two teams, but ultimately it was Walker Valley's defensive discipline and Jason Osorio's steadfast goal keeping (two saves) that kept Knox Catholic off the scoreboard," he concluded.
MUSTANGS 7
SENTINALS 0
Osorio made five saves to completely shut down Chattanooga Prep's offense, while Walker Valley got seven goals from six different players.
In the 11th minutes, Stone Davie found the net off an assist by Jake Arntz
Ten minutes later Arntz found Graham Delmotte, who beat the Sentinal goal keeper.
The final score of the opening half came in the 33rd minute when Alan Velasquez, took and assist from Juan Herrera-Garcia.
After the intermission, the Mustangs peppered the Chattanooga Prep goal with four shot finding nylon.
Arntz got a goal in the 54th minute when Delmotte gave him the key pass.
Five minutes later Camden Waldrop got in on the scoring off an assist Herrera-Garcia, who also Toby Hayes a help in the 67th minute.
Two minutes later Chris Samayoa closed out the scoring with an assist by Stone Davies.
MUSTANGS 2
EAGLES 0
After a scoreless opening half, Walker Valley got the goose egg off the board in the 44th minute off a corner kick.
Grey Davies headed it while making a back post run but Delmotte finished the play for his first goal of the season.
In the 61st minute, Arntz dribbled through a line of defenders to give WV its second and final goal of the night.
— No individual information on the Cleveland or Bradley matches were available at presstime.
