Nice soccer start
Ads blank Gallatin 3-0, Sci. Hill 2-0 at BHS Inv.
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Farragut’s Uday Sujithkumar (17) battles a Gallatin player for possession of the ball during this Bearden Invitational soccer match at Turner Field/Radcliffe-Kelly Soccer Complex Friday evening, March 22. The Admirals won 3-0 in their season opener behind goals from Sujithkumar, Brooks Burnette and Franklin Von Hagen. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com
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Farragut’s Zach Guigou (2) races to beat a GHS player to the ball. Guigou’s corner kick found Sujithkumar, whose header was the match’s first goal against Science Hill, in the 72nd minute, in an eventual 2-0 win during Invitational play at Bill Young Field Saturday evening, March 23. - Photos courtesy of Carlos Reveiz/crfoto.com
BEARDEN — Finding different ways to win while opening its season, perhaps a good indicator of improvement in hopes of many more Farragut boys soccer victories in 2024.
After dominating Gallatin 3-0 in its season opener, which came during the annual Bearden Invitational at BHS on day two Friday, March 22, the Admirals pulled off some late corner-kick magic to break a scoreless tie in the 72nd minute, going on to beat Johnson City Science Hill 2-0 Saturday, March 23.
“We’re learning how to win again, I guess you could say,” Admirals head coach Bradley Culbreth said. “The last couple of years have been hard, so they’re hungry. We’re just trying to build on being better each game. Our mentality is right. Our team chemistry is right. I’m very happy with where we’re at right now. We’ve got a lot of work to do.
“It’s obviously the beginning of the season, but we are taking it 40 minutes at a time,” Culbreth added. “That’s what I’ve told them.”
A corner kick from junior Zack Guigou found freshman Uday Sujithkumar, whose header from about 10 yards in front put the Ads up 1-0.
“He’s fitting in well,” Culbreth said of Sujithkumar. “We’ve got a lot of young talent. ... Based off our results last year, they learned a lot of tough lessons in losing, but they were necessary. We’re healthy and hungry right now.”
Senior forward Brooks Brunette drew a penalty kick in the game’s closing seconds and converted the second goal.
Against Gallatin, Sujithkumar, Burnette and Franklin Von Hagen each scored.
“I’ve got the right attitude on the bench,” Culbreth said. “I don’t have any standouts. This team wants to win. …. The biggest thing we’re preaching in practice is, ‘are you willing to be a good teammate and sacrifice?’”
