As if the Gate City boys soccer team wasn’t impressive enough Monday night, their 5-0 win over Wise Central came while playing down a man.
Imagine how dangerous the Blue Devils can be with 11 on the pitch. Several teams have already found out, given Gate City’s 8-1 overall and 4-1 district record.
The only blemish came at the hands of Mountain 7 District rival Union (4-2-1, 3-0-1). And it’s a safe bet they’re on a collision course for their May 2 meeting in Big Stone Gap. If the current pace keeps up, that match could determine the No. 1 seed out of Region 2D. Abingdon, of course, will return to Region 3 for postseason play.
Alex Eastman’s hat trick led the Blue Devils past Wise Central.
“He’s just got a motor that a lot of kids don’t have,” ninth-year Blue Devils coach Aaron Hillman said.
Just as impressive, even with only 10 men, the Blue Devils allowed just two shots on goal. Bryson Smith saved both of them, giving Smith his fifth clean sheet of 2024.
Midfielder Walker Hillman factored into the defensive effort too, dropping back from center attacking mid to center defensive mid due to an injury.
“We had to change on the fly, but our guys stepped up to the challenge,” Aaron Hillman said. “This group is a talented bunch. It’s just a matter of putting it all together. We’re smooth when we execute the way we should execute.”
Likewise, Wise Central’s girls control their own destiny, even after playing to a draw with the Lady Blue Devils Monday night. The Lady Warriors edged Gate City 1-0 in their first meeting at Norton, so don’t overlook Gate City come tournament time.
Rowland era ends at UVA Wise
The UVA Wise tennis team dropped a 4-3 decision to 40th-ranked Tusculum in their season finale Monday, marking the end of coach Danny Rowland’s tenure.
Rowland, a 1984 graduate who joined the program in 1991, coached more than 800 games as the men’s and women’s tennis coach. In fact, when Rowland’s coaching career began, the school was named Clinch Valley College and was a member of the Tennessee Valley Athletic Conference, which is now the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Rowland finished with 341 career wins.
Stoffelen earns SAC lacrosse accolade
The South Atlantic Conference announced UVA Wise’s Abby Stoffelen as their WePlayed Sports Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week.
In the Cavaliers’ 16-11 win over Catawba, Stoffelen scored four goals with one assist for five points while taking eight shots, six on goal. In addition, she had four draw controls, two ground balls and caused a turnover.
Stoffelen ranks second on the Cavaliers this season in goals (27) and points (37). She has 84 goals, 109 points and 52 draws won in her career.
Stay Engaged
React to this article and join our community of readers sharing their feedback.
