Watauga settles

for scoreless tie

From staff reports
HICKORY — Watauga had plenty of chances to score a goal, but neither the Pioneers nor St. Stephens could find the back of the net and the teams settled for a 0-0 tie Wednesday night.

Watauga (0-3-2) has yet to score a goal this season, but it was not like they did not come close on several occasions. Kendall Baird nearly had one after taking a shot that just missed going into the upper right-hand corner of the goal.

“It was a beautiful shot from just outside the 18-yard box,” Watauga coach Johnny Gailes said.

Gailes said he’s been encouraged by Watauga’s offense, even though they did not score any goals Wednesday.

The Pioneers stayed on the offensive for much of the game, but could not finish opportunities.

Some shots hit the goal posts, but did not bounce in. Other times, the ball would roll in front of the St. Stephens goal, but there would not be any Pioneers available to convert the opportunity into points.

“We were so close so many times,” Gailes said. “Both teams were.”

Gailes was happy with his team’s defense. St. Stephens (3-0-1) went into the game scoring 18 goals in its last three games, but were blanked by the Pioneers. Mary Kay Huffman handled goal-keeping duties in the first half and Katherine Mayhew did the same in the second.

Watauga won’t play again until Tuesday when the Pioneers travel to McDowell. The Titans are 3-0 with two wins over Draughn, winning those games 6-0 and 5-0. McDowell also beat Polk County 1-0.

Watauga has not won yet, but its non-conference schedule has been loaded with land mines. The Pioneers tied 3-A power Charlotte Catholic 0-0 before falling to Swansboro and New Bern in the Sledgehammer Charlie’s Invitational last weekend. Watauga also lost to another 3-A power T.C. Roberson.