Flames burn out of control
Text and Photos by Gary Ledford
Jeremy Parker fires one of his four goals on the day.
In a soccer double-header on Saturday, Nov. 7, a dry field and two matches were all that was needed to set the Enka fields ablaze. The Tsa La Gi Flames soccer team, from Cherokee, in near flawless fashion, roasted Asheville 2 and ABYSA North.
In the first game against Asheville 2, the Flames attackers went wild and scorched Asheville’s net for seven goals, while allowing none. A combination of crisp passing and relentless rushing to the front of the Asheville goal resulted in numerous scoring opportunities, on which the Flames capitalized.
Darius Thompson (right) drives the ball upfield following a save.
Backing up the offense, Flames defenders and goalies clamped down on the opponent’s offensive front line and eliminated any threat on goal. Scoring for the Flames were Jeremy Parker and Chayton Thompson with a deuce each. Russell Bigmeat, Storm Ledford, and Chris Queen each scored a goal in support. Kenzie Garcia and Darius Thompson provided the strong shut-out goalie effort.
The second game, on paper, appeared to be a much stronger challenge, as ABYSA North fielded a bigger, faster, and a more rested team. The Flames thrive on competition, though, and as they’ve done all season, they responded with overpowering effort and superior skill.
Kenzie Garcia works upfield against an Asheville defender.
The first minute of the game would set the tone for the rest of the match, as Darius Thompson drove on left wing and fired a blistering shot into the back of North’s net. North could not recover and withered under the ferocious nine goal Flame assault. Posting goals for the Flames were Darius Thompson, Jeremy Parker, and Russell Bigmeat with two each. Rounding it out were Chris Queen, Tommy Lossiah, and Chayton Thompson with one apiece. Goalies for the game were Kenzie Garcia and Dylan Thompson. The final was 9-3.
