The DeKalb County Tiger soccer team looks to build on last season that found them ranked first in the state at one point before having their season cut short in the regionals. Their opening challenge this past weekend, the Smoky Mountain Cup, facing some of the best in the state. The result for the combined varsity and junior varsity – two wins, two losses and two ties.

“The boys played hard and had the attitude and effort that us coaches like to see,” said Assistant Coach Samantha Leiser of the tournament this past weekend, noting they will be playing their home opener this Thursday, March 21 against border rival Warren County. Opening kick is 6:30 p.m.

The Gatlinburg tournament opened rough for the Tigers as they ran into Henry County right off the bat, taking a 3-0 loss to the west Tennessee powerhouse. Their loss came despite 11 saves by goalie Wesley Carpenter who held Houston scoreless until the 39th minute when they broke the scoreless tie with a John Summer goal. Houston’s Drew Sledge added to the lead in the 62nd minute and Jackson White put it on ice in the 68th minute.

The Tigers kept it closer against Jefferson County from east Tennessee, losing 2-1. The Jefferson squad moved on up with a goal by Brayan Morales in the seventh minute, assisted by Diego Diaz. Then, Diaz got a goal of his own in the 24th minute. The Tigers cut it in half just before half-time as Rene Betancourt scored DeKalb’s lone goal at the 45th minute.

The Tigers ended the tourney on a winning note, beating Franklin County 3-1. The Tigers got out strong with Bill Miller putting the ball in the back of the net at the 25th minute with an assist from Betancourt. In the second half, Betancourt got one of his own in the 59th minute with the assist by Ealy Gassaway. It came back around for Gassaway at the 73rd minute as he got a goal with the assist of Alan Munoz. Fabian Cruz scored the lone Franklin goal in the 75th minute.

The Junior Varsity tied Jefferson County 2-2 with goals by Brandon Matias and Axel Rico. They then tied Henry County 1-1 with a Jack Famulski goal and then beat Franklin County 3-0 with goals by Brian Balderas, Jonathan Hernandez and Rodrigo Sosa. Brandon Matias and Juan Olivia both recorded assists in the win.

The end result was a first place finish by the JV while the Varsity took third in the Gatlinburg tourney. Coach Leiser noted the squad played in a higher division than last year at the same tournament.