Greeneville had zero trouble finding the back of the net Tuesday night as it celebrated senior night with a 6-1 win over Tennessee High in the District 1-2A semifinals.
“It’s a really special group of kids. It’s always special when you have a big group, but when you have eleven of them makes it extra special on nights like this,” Greeneville head coach Jerry Graham mentioned. “I started coaching some of these kids when they were little so I’ve known some of these guys for a long time and just to watch them grow up and develop as soccer players and young men it’s really special to see where they are now. It’s nice to have a good win on senior night.”
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The Greene Devils advance to play Unicoi County in the championship game for an opportunity to host a game in the Region 1-2A tournament.
Two seniors were able to claim goals on their special night. Drew Shelton netted a hat trick to lead the way and Brady Quillen scored one to go along.
Shelton helped land the first blow with a goal in the 16th minute of action. His shot came from right inside the 18-yard box and went uncontested into the back of the net to help Greeneville push out to a 1-0 lead.
The Devils didn’t stop applying pressure with two more goals only four minutes apart. Junior midfielder Brody Inscore sent a rocket past Eli Knowles in the 27th minute. Austin Beets was credited with the assist.
Shelton punched in his second score of the night with a quick goal in the 31st minute to shoot Greeneville ahead by a trio of goals.
Greeneville held a 3-0 lead over Tennessee High at the break.
The Vikings were held without a shot attempt in the first half.
The Greene Devils went back on the attack early in the second half with a goal from Brady Quillen in the 43rd minute. Austin Beets delivered yet another assist.
Senior Drew Shelton made the most of his senior night and capped things off with a hat trick after his goal in the 53rd minute. An absolute rocket from past the 18-yard box connected with the back of the net and put the Devils up 5-0.
“He had a good night. Yesterday we worked on some things and he did a good job today of putting himself in position to score and receive the ball,” Coach Graham said. “He found a little space right between those two lines and nobody was pressuring him so he went ahead and took that shot. He’s dangerous from that level.”
Austin Beets had been the one to deliver most of the assists throughout the contest, but finally got a taste of the scoring with a strike in the 56th minute. Beets was credited with three total assists to go along with his lone goal.
“He’s so unselfish,” Graham stated. “He’s got a high soccer IQ. He’s all about the team and not about himself.”
The Vikings were able to score one goal down the stretch courtesy of Jackson Ferrell. A deflected pass rolled right to the freshman’s foot for an easy shot.
Greeneville cruised to the finish with a 6-1 win.
Drew Shelton netted three goals. Brady Quillen, Brody Inscore, and Austin Beets scored one each.
Kickoff for Thursday night against Unicoi County is set for 6:00 P.M. inside of Burley Stadium.
