Reynolds’ Matthew Kennedy.
ASHEVILLE – Matthew Kennedy was still drying off from a halftime rain shower Wednesday when the ball came to rest on his back heel.
One swift kick later, the Reynolds soccer team was on its way to a huge Mountain Athletic Conference road win.
Kennedy’s goal in the 42nd minute stood up as the only one by either rival in a 1-0 game at Asheville High Memorial Stadium.
“It wasn’t the prettiest soccer, but we’ll take it,” Rockets coach Patrick Gladys said.
“Our goalkeeper Griffith Porter had a great game. Luke Sloan was outstanding on defense, all the guys were. Any time you come over here to Asheville and win, it’s big.”
Reynolds (9-1-1, 2-0-0) outshot the Cougars (5-3-1, 0-1-0) by a 12-8 count and Porter made seven saves.
Neither side put a ton of shots on frame. Kennedy’s goal was a matter of cleaning up a scrum in front of the Cougars’ goal. Fellow junior Will German was credited with the assist.
Wednesday was the eighth consecutive win for the Rockets.
The Reynolds soccer team celebrates after Matthew Kennedy scored a goal at Asheville September 14, 2016.
Reynolds’ Mike Scarbrough hits header in the game at Asheville September 14, 2016.
“Both teams played hard,” Asheville coach Mike Flowe said.
“Things didn’t go our way tonight, but this is just the beginning. There’s a lot of soccer left to play and there’s going to be a lot of tough games in this conference.”
Gladys was in complete agreement.
“From top to bottom, it’s going to be a challenge every night,” Gladys said.
Reynolds returns to action Monday with a nonconference game at Asheville Christian Academy. Asheville’s next game is Monday at home against undefeated Enka (8-0-2, 2-0-0).
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