JOHNSON CITY — The best outcomes of the season came in the worst weather conditions for the University High boys soccer team Friday.
Still seeking their first victory entering the Blue Ridge Classic, the Buccaneers won two games to reach Saturday’s tournament championship match. Overcoming a weather delay, UH took down tournament host Providence Academy 3-0 before holding off West Ridge 3-2.
University High (2-3-1) had previously drawn against both teams, Providence Academy in the preseason and West Ridge on April 4. But junior attacking midfielder George Holt ensured a more positive outcome this time. He scored twice against Providence Academy, one of them assisted by senior center back Paul Gantley.
The other goal came from Daniel Rojas, assisted by senior left back Jacob Winfield.
“They just built it up from the back, which is what we’ve been practicing,” second-year UH coach Pam Peñaloza-Wilson said. “We played hard and everyone got some minutes, so it was good having deep bench. That was big for us.”
Sophomore goalkeeper Peter Reeves recorded a clean sheet to earn his first win, before helping the Buccaneers hold on against West Ridge.
“He’s grown a lot,” Peñaloza-Wilson said. “It’s his first time playing there.”
The weather didn’t let up for the Buccaneers’ match against West Ridge. UH freshman Mason Winfield and West Ridge junior Carson Whisnant traded goals in the first half, the former assisted by Jacob Winfield.
Another freshman broke the 1-1 draw, as Jude Lawson finished on a Rojas assist.
Senior midfielder Gabriel Padilla made it 3-1, finishing from inside the box after Tyler DeGennaro had crossed to him.
Whisnant struck again to get West Ridge within a goal, but University High prevented the equalizer.
Providence Academy 2, West Ridge 0
The Knights got a clean sheet in goal from freshman Austin Beckner, who’d already made five saves against UH and easily topped that mark in the nightcap.
Playing under a dark cloud cover, J.J. Poff finally broke the scoreless tie five minutes into the second half, after a Cage Merkel throw-in.
Ian Meade’s counterattack provided the final count.
Chuckey-Doak 3, Lakeway Christian 1
Jonathan Brenes scored two goals for the Black Knights, the first off a Brayden Collins assist in the sixth minute.
Chuckey-Doak then scored twice within six minutes to start the second half, the first by Brenes.
Tammo Haase, who assisted Brenes’ second goal, found the back of the net himself for a 3-0 lead, with Jesus Rojas dishing out the assist.
Lakeway Christian 4, Unicoi County 0
Jackson Campbell completed the hat trick for the Lions, two coming in the second half as Lakeway advanced to the championships game via goal differential tiebreaker.
Campbell’s first goal came in the 22nd minute, and he added another late in the second half. After Caleb Davis headed in a corner kick to make it 3-0, Campbell converted a penalty kick for the final tally.
UP NEXT
The Blue Ridge Classic concludes Saturday with three matches.
Unicoi County faces West Ridge for fifth place at 10 a.m., followed by the third-place match between Providence Academy and Chuckey-Doak. University High and Lakeway Christian Academy face off for the title at 12:30 p.m.
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