Pioneers pull away from Cavs
From staff reports

ICARD — Watauga’s girls’ soccer team returned to its winning ways with a 5-0 victory over East Burke Friday night just before a lighting storm moved through the area.

Watauga got its first goal of the game from Jennifer Vines, which was the Pioneers only goal of the first half.

The Pioneers had a near miss when one shot hit the cross bar and another shot from about 35 yards just missed.

Things got better in the second half. Kendall Baird scored the team’s second goal, the first of two goals for Baird.

Austin Williamson also scored a goal and Caitlyn Soukup scored a goal off a rebound to put Watauga in front 4-0 at the time.

Watauga improved to 4-8-3 overall, 4-3-3 in the Northwestern 4-A Conference East Burke fell to 1-14-0 overall, 1-8-0 in the league. No jayvee game was played.

The Pioneers return home Tuesday to host Alexander central in their final game of the NWC season. Watauga also plays at Avery on Thursday.

Boys’ tennis
Watauga closed out its NWC season with a 7-2 victory over McDowell at the Carroll Complex Thursday.

As customary this year, all of the Watauga victories were in straight sets. Preston Stigall, playing No. 1 singles, beat Adam Hall 6-2, 6-2, while Michael Smith beat Nick Byrd 6-0, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. Brian Geldmeier won 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 and Davis Roberts won 6-0, 6-3 at No. 4 singles.

The Pioneers also swept the doubles matches. Stigall teamed with Geldmeier to win 10-6 at No. 1 doubles, while Roberts and Ryan Schweitzer won at No. 2 doubles. Smith and Chris Ludwig won at No. 3 doubles.
Watauga finished the season 12-0 in the league, 17-2 overall.

Watauga 7 McDowell 2
Singles
Preston Stigall (W) d. Adam Hall, 6-2 6-2
Michael Smith (W) d. Nick Byrd, 6-0 6-0
Brian Geldmeier (W) d. Quentin Smith, 6-1 6-1
Davis Roberts (W) d. Daniel Kim, 6-0 6-3
Vity Thao (M) d. Sam Littlejohn, 6-2 6-4
Ben Thao d. Aaron Evans, 6-4 6-2
Doubles
Geldmeier/Stigall (W) d. Hall/Byrd, 10-6
Roberts/Ryan Schweitzer (W) d. Smith/Kim, 10-2
Smith/Chris Ludwig (W) d. B.Thao/Jacob Valentine, 8-2

Softball
ICARD — Watauga’s softball team fell to East Burke 3-0 Friday in NWC play.

Chandler Butler went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and Kara Tester hit a double for the Pioneers, who slipped to 5-11 overall and 2-7 in the NWC.

The Pioneers face powerhouse Alexander Central Tuesday and host Wilkes Central Wednesday.

Lacrosse
Watauga’s girls’ lacrosse team lost to Providence Day 17-9 and beat the Asheville Lacrosse Club 8-2 Saturday, while the Watauga men’s team lost Mooresville 6-5.

Emily Bushman scored seven goals and Sara Duke added five goals in the two women’s games, while Wesley Templeton scored two goals for the Pioneers against Hickory. The games ended Watauga’s season.