Ardrey Kell’s experience pays off with 3-0 shutout

Three seasons ago, coach Kim Montgomery started her career at Ardrey Kell with a team full of rookies that needed her guidance and expertise.

Now her work seems to have paid off as her Knights looked polished and poised in a 3-0 boys’ nonconference home soccer win Monday night against Independence.

“This is the first group that has been with me all four years,” Montgomery said. “That experience shows, especially on our back line because they are all seniors.”

The defensive quartet of Christian Mauney, Zain Blackwood, Kevin Carney and Parker Huss thwarted the Independence attack and made it easier for keeper Justin Brown to record the shutout. And Huss was a star on offense as well, scoring two goals off well designed corner kicks.

“He was definitely my player of the game,” Montgomery said of Huss. “I was glad to see us score off set pieces like that.”

Huss got his first goal near the 35-minute mark and his second came early in the second half. The third goal for the Knights (1-0) came on a scorching 30-yard blast from forward Seamus Beecher that found the top left corner of the net at the 75-minute mark.

While the offense certainly did its job, it was evident from the start that defense will be the Knights forte this season.

“I think it’s going to be difficult to score on us,” Montgomery said. “We’ve got our three captains (Brown, Carney and Huss) back there. We still need to work on finishing offensively and not rely on the set pieces, but I like our arsenal of attack. I’m very pleased for an opening game.

Independence coach Tyler Gibson was proud of the 10 saves his keeper Esai Gomez recorded, but knows his Patriots (0-1) have some work to do.

“I feel like we didn’t show up,” Gibson said. “We have to come together and mesh as a team.”

Both teams will participate in the Kick for the Cure tournament Thursday at Ramblewood Park with Independence slated to take on Central Academy and the Knights will battle Charlotte Country Day.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 10:05 PM with the headline "Ardrey Kell’s experience pays off with 3-0 shutout."