Prep leaves ties behind with win over Greenwood

Forrest Wimberly was just glad it wasn't a tie.

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The Augusta Prep girls soccer coach watched three of his team's first four games end in knots.

But against Greenwood Christian on Friday, the Cavaliers broke the game open, beating the Hawks 5-0.

The Cavaliers then tied Central Fellowship on Saturday and beat Heritage to win the Blue and Gold Cup, which was hosted by Augusta Prep.

"It's nice to get a win after three straight ties," Wimberly said.

The Cavaliers beat Greenwood Christian twice last season, and the Hawks put up little fight again Friday.

Cavaliers freshman Elizabeth Hayes scored three goals for her first-ever hat trick, including one less than a minute into the second half that put the game away.

"She had a phenomenal game," Wimberly said. "She's a talented player. "

The Cavaliers had consecutive ties against Hilton Head (S.C.) Christian, Deerfield-Windsor and Tattanall Square before Friday. The weekend's tournament victory improved the Cavaliers to 3-0-4.

Of Wimberly's 18 players, 13 are not yet juniors. Most of his girls also play club soccer, but the Cavaliers coach said he's hoping the weekend's success provides his young team a boost.

"I'm happy with the start to the season," he said. "Now it's just a matter of continuing to challenge these girls to take the next step and not just settle."

After Hayes' hat trick Friday, the Cavaliers' offense was locked down during Saturday's early game with Central Fellowship, and the game ended 0-0.

Cavaliers eighth-grader Jamie Alexander broke a 1-1 tie against Heritage later in the day. She ripped an 18-yard shot off the post, but followed it in for her team-leading sixth goal of the season and a Cavaliers win.

Wimberly said having a core of players who also play at the club level has helped them gel quicker than they might otherwise.

"We're not out there getting one or two kids to make the difference," Wimberly said. "These are kids who have been playing together for years. We've had success at the middle-school level and now they're freshman and sophomores."

Photos by Jim Blaylock

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