Pigeon Forge couldn’t get their shots past G-P’s Johnnny Miley early and went down a point before storming back with the last five goals of the game to take a win over their district foe and county rival up the Spur.
In the early going, the Tigers were outshooting the Highlanders and keeping the ball close to the G-P goal, but not getting anything but frustration from their first ten shots. The intensity went up a notch after Lugi Recarte dribbled down on a break away pass from Jordan Jones and scored the first goal of the game for the blue and gold on only G-P’s second shot. The Tiger’s Van Harper answered.
Joseph Henrique took a direct kick on a penalty and the ball deflected off the midsection of a G-P defender, doubling him up. Harper swooped in through the crowd and nailed the kick to tie the game.
Harper’s second goal was a bullet that went past the edge of Miley’s fingers, but was waived away by an off sides penalty against the Tigers. Unphased, Harper struck again moments later off of a nifty feed from Henrique that put the Tigers up for good at 2-1.
Austin Woodrick spent most of the first half watching from a distance with only four G-P shots to defend in the first half as his defense stood firm. Pigeon Forge continued to keep the play focused mainly on a orange and black offensive attack.
“The kids are really starting to communicate well and our passing continues to improve,” said Tiger Coach Bill Mosely, who was happy with the play of his defense.
The early goings of the second half went strictly to the Tigers. Zack Schrandt took an assist from Stephen Gordon and put it home for a goal against his friend at G-P Miley. A few moments later, after the G-P defense cleared the ball away from Schrandt Miley yelled out his team, “Schrandt does not score.”
The cry could not go unanswered as the Tiger senior yelled back, “You mean score again,” prompting a laugh from Miley and the crowd.
After the game Schrandt was complimentary of Miley’s play, “Som eof those saves he had were just awesome. He was up in the air and everyplace.”
Miley totaled 27 saves against Pigeon Forge in their 32 shots at the G-P goal. Woodrick defended off 16 straight Highlander shots after allowing Recarte the goal on G-P’s second shot.
Midway through the second half, Gordon sent a high rocket towards the goal only to see Miley go up and tip the ball just enough to send it careening out of play off the cross bar. henrique took the corner kick and Gordon came crashing through the defense to redirect the kick into the goal for a 4-1 lead.
Henrique’s had set plays all afternoon for Pigeon Forge and finally got his pay off. Sending the ball outside to Chris Todd who returned it back for Henrique to slam into the corner of the net for an insurance tack on.
“These guys are all giving us 110%,” said Coach Mosely after the game between congratulatory hand shakes from parents and faculty. Last season G-P took close wins over the Tigers to claim the regular season district and district tournament crowns before Pigeon Forge took the regional title with a win over the Highlanders.

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