Gray Stone senior sets soccer record in home win

Published 11:24 am Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Viscomi scores six goals, sets season mark in 8-0 victory

The Gray Stone men’s soccer team wrapped up its 2018 regular season with a home match Thursday against the Uwharrie Charter Eagles.

Gray Stone improved to 13-7-1 overall and 11-3 in the Yadkin Valley Conference, having already secured a second-place finish, with an 8-0 win over the Eagles.

Gray Stone senior Chase Viscomi set a new mark for goals in a season with a huge night against Uwharrie. Netting six goals in the game, Viscomi broke his own record of 35 set last season. With Thursday’s efforts, Viscomi has 36 goals this season.

Viscomi recorded a natural hat trick by scoring three goals in the first 16 minutes of the game. Zack Norman assisted Viscomi’s first goal in the ninth minute, then Almond added an assist on Viscomi’s tally three minutes later. Erich Strohecker sent a cross toward the net in the 16th minute, headed in by Viscomi to wrap up the hat trick.

But Viscomi and the Knights were not finished there. Almond assisted on Viscomi’s fourth goal in the 24th minute, then scored his own goal 13 minutes later, assisted by Prior Sparks. The Knights led at halftime 5-0.

Viscomi scored in the 61st minute to tie the season record, assisted by Luke Hill, then Zack Norman notched an unassisted goal four minutes later.

The record-setting goal for Viscomi came in the 68th minute, assisted by Andrew Beohler.

“After tying the school record last year with 35 goals on the season it is incredible to see him come back this year with the same drive and motivation as well as to maintain the same consistent scoring level and top the school record this year,” head coach Brad Harrington said.

The Gray Stone head coach added he has coached Viscomi for three seasons, one year at Park Ridge in eighth grade and the past two seasons, Viscomi’s junior and senior seasons with the Knights.

“It has been fantastic to see his growth from that 8th grade year to now, on and off the field,” Harrington said. “He is a great teammate, competitor and young man as evidenced by recognizing he would not have been able to accomplish this feat or score all the goals he has during his career without his teammates being there, playing with him, and supporting him along the way.”

Gray Stone will qualify for the NCHSAA 1A state soccer playoffs. Brackets are scheduled to be released on Wednesday, with the first round to start Saturday.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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