Tunstall boys soccer collects first-ever region tournament victory

By Jason Wolf
Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 27, 2008

DRY FORK — One of Tazewell’s best players was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and his father resigned his post as head coach of the team before the season.

Just getting off the bus in Dry Fork, nearly 200 miles from home, to compete in the Region IV playoffs was an accomplishment for last year’s Southwest District champions.

“After the season we’ve had, just to be here, we’re tickled to death,” Tazewell coach Jeremy Call said. “It was a long bus ride to get here, but they came off the bus ready to play. … It just didn’t go our way today.”

Tunstall freshman forward Zack Rice scored twice, including a backbreaking goal a minute after the visitors cut their deficit in half, and the Trojans dropped Tazewell 4-1 for their first-ever Region IV boys soccer tournament victory in a play-in game Monday evening. Tunstall (11-5-1), which hosted a regional game for the first time, visits undefeated defending state champion Blacksburg — ranked No. 1 in the country by rivals.com — at 7 p.m. today in the tournament’s first round.

“We certainly understand what’s before us,” Tunstall coach Eddy Lloyd said.

Rice scored the eventual winning goal and handed the Trojans a 2-0 lead on a rocket from 15 yards out after the Tazewell (8-9-1) goalie slipped, and Rice went on to effectively seal the game by converting a rebound in the 64th minute, just after the visitors finally broke the shutout.

“I gave it to Bryant Thurman, and he had a wonderful shot. It went off the goalie and I just put it in,” Rice said.

Trey Yeatts opened the scoring five minutes into the second half, thanks to an assist by Cory Gauldin, and Carlos Manzanares scored on a direct kick with about nine minutes remaining. Tunstall out-shot Tazewell 21-7.

Harrison Lutz cut the Bulldogs’ deficit to 2-1 with a successful penalty kick in the 63rd minute, but the visitors’ momentum was short-lived.

“I think that broke their spirit a little bit,” Lloyd said, heralding the importance of Rice’s second goal. “From that point on, things kind of went our way.”

Tunstall 4, Tazewell 1
Tazewell 0 1 – 1
Tunstall 0 4 – 4
Goals: Trey Yeatts (Tun) from Cory Gauldin, 45th minute; Zack Rice (Tun) unassisted, 48th minute; Harrison Lutz (Taz) penalty kick, 63rd minute; Rice (Tun) unassisted, 64th minute; Carlos Manzanares (Tun) unassisted 71st minute.
Shots: Tunstall 21-7
Corners: Tunstall 3-2
Saves: Zack Poskas (Taz) 12, Kevin Hill (Tun) 4
Records: Tazwell 8-9-1, Tunstall 11-5-1