The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers soccer squad got out of the gate fast, shutting out Upperman in the season opener after finishing a spotless preseason schedule.
The girls squad earned an 8-0 win on Upperman’s home pitch behind a hat trick by Anna Rachael Blair, her three goals coming in a game in which she was credited with an assist. Helping facilitate Blair’s scoring was Sarah Starnes who registered four assists in the game. Also contributing goals to the total were Sophia Angeleti, Sophie Hackett, Rainey Tiner, Maria Trilles and Allison Wibur.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ariel Patterson was credited with two saves, keeping the scoring sheet clean on the Upperman side of the page.
The win comes after the Lady Tigers completed a successful preseason winning 5-0 over Cannon County, 2-0 over Knox Central, 3-0 over Oliver Springs and 2-1 over Bledsoe County.
As for Upperman, the Lady Bees were one of the teams DeKalb found success against last year, beating them three times in a season that ended 4-12-1, their only other win last year coming over Cannon County. They were bumped from the playoff last year by Stone Memorial.
The Lady Tigers were scheduled to host their home opener Tuesday, Aug. 21 against Community. They will travel to Pigeon Forge to play in the Smoky Mountain Cup this weekend, playing Sullivan South at 6:50 p.m. (eastern) at the Sevier County Complex on Friday, against Pigeon Forge at 2:30 p.m. (eastern) at Pigeon Forge High Saturday and then Sevier County at Sevier County High at 9 a.m. (eastern) on Sunday. They will travel to Cannon County on Tuesday, Aug. 28 for a 6 p.m. match.
The DeKalb County Middle School soccer squad was set to begin its season Tuesday, Aug. 21 at Prescott. Their planned season opener against Upperman last Friday was cancelled.
While yet to see regular season action, the Lady Saints had a tune up last week against Watertown and won 6-3. Scoring for the Lady Saints was Raven Savage who had a hat trick with three goals, Juana Godinez, Micah Bogle and Katherine Knowles.
After their opener they will travel to Cumberland County next Tuesday for a 6 p.m. game.
