JOHNSON CITY — Dobyns-Bennett goalkeeper Ethan Cline didn’t feel prepared like he should be. His admittance was the only way anyone would’ve known.
His first start against Science Hill couldn’t have gone much better. The Indians gained the upper hand in the District 1-AAA race with Friday’s 2-0 win over the Hilltoppers at Kermit Tipton Stadium.
“It feels amazing,” said Cline, who earned the starting job after serving as a backup keeper last spring. “I feel like my communication has improved a lot, and my technical work with my feet with Coach (John) Good has worked a lot more.”
At first, Cline had lost count of how many shutouts he’s accumulated his junior season. For the record, Friday marked his fifth. And this one might have been the toughest one yet.
“I know most of (Science Hill’s) players and train with them for travel,” Cline said. “Just knowing how tough they are (was the hardest part coming in).”
He recorded 10 saves Friday night, teaming up with sophomore center back Cooper McLain to stop counterattacks by Science Hill’s Lucas Trull and Thomas Faleke.
“Cooper is our solid rock back there, very dependable,” D-B coach Tony Weaver said. “You can’t ask for a better center back. I’d take him there over anybody in the state.”
RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME
While he didn’t officially get the credit for it, Andy Salas helped Dobyns-Bennett (9-0-2, 4-0 District 1-AAA) break the scoreless tie in the 27th minute. From the left corner, Salas crossed the ball into the six-yard box, where it ricocheted off a Science Hill player and into the net.
“We practiced that actually, trying to get the ball out wide and playing it across the six, and hopefully somebody’s there to knock it home,” Weaver said.
The 1-0 lead stood until the 73rd minute. Brogan McGhee fired a shot which bounced off the upright. But after following his miss, McGhee sent the rebound into the net for the final score.
Foster Childress made nine saves for the Hilltoppers (4-7, 1-1).
“I thought they were one step ahead of us all night,” Science Hill coach David Strickland said. “You have to deal with adversity and go. We did a very poor job of it tonight … We have quit saying ‘we played well, but….’ At some point we’ve got to step up.”
UP NEXT
Dobyns-Bennett visits Daniel Boone on Tuesday at 6 p.m., before hosting the Hilltoppers at Indian Highland Park at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
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