Shupe’s hat trick leads soccer

Published 11:48 am Thursday, April 11, 2019

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After getting outscored 16-1 during a four-game losing streak, after going 0-5-1 across six games, Davie’s varsity soccer team pulled out a feel-good 4-3 Central Piedmont Conference win at Glenn on April 2.

On one day, the War Eagles matched their CPC win total from 2018. Freshman Katie Shupe was a major reason why.

“We got a nice win,” coach Nathan Stephens said. “We pretty much controlled the game.”

After scoring one goal in nine games, Shupe went crazy, scoring three goals in a slugfest that saw neither team lead by more than one. Each of Shupe’s goals erased a Glenn lead. Davie’s first hat trick in 36 games – Haley Campbell had three in a 5-0 win over Parkland on April 4, 2017 – suddenly made Shupe the team’s leader in goals.

“My super freshman came through big tonight,” Stephens said. “I love that kid. She kept us in it. She’s the kind of player you hope for coming through.”

With the score 3-3 and less than a minute remaining, senior Jaci Grachen lifted Davie to its first win since March 5 by nailing a penalty kick. The Bobcats fell to 1-10 overall and 0-3 in the CPC.

Davie’s win coincided with defender Madison Smith and outside midfielder Campbell returning from injuries.

“It was good to have Madison, who had been out for several weeks, and Haley, who had been out a couple weeks, back tonight,” he said. “Two key players finally got to come back. That was awesome.”

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The momentum did not last as Davie lost 3-0 at home to East Forsyth on April 4. But Davie (3-7-1, 1-3 CPC) did play tough after trailing 2-0 at halftime. The Eagles improved to 6-3-2, 3-1.

“It was not a bad showing,” Stephens said. “East has some good players that we had to adjust for. Once we did that, the game tightened up and we had some chances. We just couldn’t capitalize.”

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Davie’s JV remained winless at Glenn, but coach Andrew Davis’ squad did not go away easily in a 1-0 setback on April 2.

The game’s only goal came in the first half. The War Eagles (0-5, 0-3 CPC) hung tough despite playing their first game in 12 days. After suffering four losses by five-plus goals, they outplayed Glenn everywhere except the scoring column.

“We more than tripled their shots on goal,” Davis said. “But in the first half they had three shots and scored on their third shot. We had seven shots in the first half and eight in the second. We played well. We controlled the game more. They just got one in.”

Serenadi Parks and Ana Miranda were defensive standouts. Christine Cao and Morgan Shores created offensive opportunities.

“Parks and Miranda saved us from them getting shots,” he said.