EASTERN WAKE COUNTY - The East Wake Soccer Association U10 Explosion girls competed in the Pinehurst Pine Cone Tournament on Nov. 21-22, in Southern Pines. The team played in the U11 Division in preparation for their move to U11 Classic in the spring and won the tournament championship with a 4-0 record, outscoring its opponents by a combined 18-1.

In the first game on Nov. 21, Explosion defeated the GCAA Cleveland United Strikers 5-0, and later that afternoon, the group disposed of host Sandhills Celtic S.C. White by a 5-0 margin.

On Nov. 22, the team prevailed 3-1 after struggling against the FVAA Lightning Red, setting up a Sunday afternoon rematch with the Strikers for the championship.

The Explosion harassed the opposing defense but could only manage to take a 2-0 lead into halftime. But with a quick goal to open the second half, any hope of a Cleveland United comeback faded away. The eastern Wake team scored two more goals to make the final margin 5-0.

As in East Wake's last tournament, Explosion coaches Jeff Futrell and Stephen Taylor were particularly pleased with the number of assisted goals.

"Twelve of our 18 goals were scored off assists, and we feel like that best represents the unselfish brand of soccer that we try to teach," Futrell said.

Offensive production was spread across the board as follows: Anna Grace Abrams with five goals and six assists, Essence Canady with seven goals and four assists, Emilee Futrell with five goals, Gabbi Lyons with one goal, and Mikayla Atkinson and Reily Nelson with one assist each.

Taylor and Futrell also praised the defensive efforts of Nelson and Bailey Hardison, as well as Anna Shaye Thompson in the goal. Taylor emphasized Thompson's effort by naming her the Finals MVP.

"She did not have to make a lot of saves in the tournament, but she came up big in the final by making several saves that really could have changed the tone of the game if they had gone in," Taylor said.

The coaches said that in addition to those girls that made the stat book or got special recognition, everyone on the team deserved credit for their hard work throughout the tournament.

"Our motto is 'a team is a group of people that go out of their way to make each other look good.' Those people include Anna Reese Vick, Anne Elliott Taylor, and guest player, Brayleigh Jones," Futrell said.

Join this team

The East Wake '99 Explosion is holding a supplemental tryout on Dec. 13, from 1-3 p.m., looking for talented players with a desire to work hard and committed parents that will encourage their children and support the coaches.

These tryouts are for girls born between Aug. 1, 1999 and July 31, 2000. For additional information, call 252-289-6685.