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CUMBERLAND GAP, TN (SPECIAL TO WLAF) – The Campbell County United Girls Soccer (CCUGST) team participated in the East United Middle School Soccer tournament at Cumberland Gap High School beginning on Saturday morning.
The team arrived at the field at 8:30am for their first game which was against Claiborne County. “We were missing five of our starters and one coach due to sickness, three of which were 8th graders. So we felt like it was going to be rough day,” said Coach Dustin Davis.
The team was a little slow getting motivated but was able to pull out a 4-0 win to advance to the next game against Cumberland Gap at 11:30am. Kylee Suttles scored three goals and Captain Jessa Riggs had one goal to give Campbell County the winning points.
The team was ready to play Cumberland Gap as it was the only team to beat Campbell County twice in the regular season. Cumberland Gap struck early with a goal. Campbell County’s Kylee Suttles was able to get a goal to tie it at 1-1. Campbell then came out in the second half and Kylee Suttles was able to score again with 20 minutes left in the game. “From that point, our defense stepped up and held Cumberland Gap from scoring. Our girls really wanted that game,” said Coach Davis. The final score was 2-1 advancing Campbell County to the championship game at 4:30pm.
Cosby upset Oneida in a penalty kick shootout to advance to the championship game. “We did not get to play Cosby in the regular season because of scheduling issues. So this was a new team that we had not seen before the tournament. The girls were all telling me they were nervous to play Cosby,” said Coach Dustin Davis.
Campbell County’s Kylee Suttles struck early with a goal to put Campbell County up 1-0. Both teams fought very hard going back and forth, up and down the field. Campbell County was able to open up the lead when Captain Jessa Riggs scored three goals and Kylee Suttles scored five goals to seal the 8-0 Campbell win.
“Campbell County Goalie Zori Rutherford had more saves than we could keep up with. She really stepped it up in the goal to keep Cosby from scoring,” said Coach Dustin Davis.
This is the first time Campbell County has won the East United Middle School Soccer tournament championship. “I could not be happier with the way that our younger players stepped up to fill the spots of the five players we were missing. They left everything on the field. Every player gave it their all,” exclaimed Coach Dustin Davis.
Campbell County had eight all-tournament players; Captain Jessa Riggs, goalie Zori Rutherford, Glenda Davis, Ale Jandra Fernandez, Alie Jessee, Kara Cook, Angel Wilson and Willow White. The Tournament MVP was Kylee Suttles who scored ten goals total in the tournament.
“We want to thank all the parents and players who were able to even make this year possible. This team came together at the end to become a family to achieve what they had worked so hard to accomplish. We as coaches could not be more honored to have coached such a great team,” explained Davis.
“I personally want to think the assistant coaches, Lance Beaty and Keisha Suttles, for all their hard work and dedication to the team. Without their help, this season could not have happened,” said Coach Davis.
Any girl grades five through eight who would like to play, please watch the Facebook page for tryout dates next spring. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/05/2021-10AM)