The Mathews High School jayvee soccer team played to hard-fought 1-1 tie last Wednesday night in the Devils’ district opener. West Point and the Blue Devils played an evenly matched game at the Mathews field, with the Pointers scoring first.

After a halftime pep talk, Mathews turned up the defensive pressure, which led to an Anna Hudgins throw-in assist to a P.J. Johnson goal.

Hans Saunders had three shots on goal, followed by Justin Jenkins and Johnson with two each. Goalkeeper Megan Zeller had seven saves. Defenders Amanda Smith, Keinan Triplett and Sam Spadaccini, with sweeper Anna Hudgins, hustled throughout and prevented the Pointers from getting any breaks in the run of play.
Midfielders Jessie Zeller, Ryan Jackson and Gus Bauby worked to keep the ball to the outside, while Johnson, Jenkins, and Saunders pushed the ball up the field. Forwards Dillon Roane, Bryan Simon, Natalie McElroy, Hunter Wood and Adam Wade were attentive and aggressive searching for another goa...