After last season was cut short due to covid-19, the Lexington High School boys' soccer team have returned with a vengeance.
The Wildcats blanked Greenwood 5-0 in Sunday's final of the Cats Kick Cancer Kickoff Classic. In completing a 4-game sweep of the tournament, Lexington outscored the competition 23-0 with sophomore goalkeeper Braden Guliano making his 1st career start.
"A great way to start," Lexington head coach Will Gettys said. "It's always a positive when you can win your own tournament, but this year, definitely because of 4 shutouts in a row. Didn't give up a goal which is pretty impressive. Our defense played well."
Since its inception, the Cats Kick Cancer campaign served to raise funds to help support kids with pediatric cancer and send them to Camp Kemo. The camp was cancelled this year due to covid-19 and Gettys said donations were limited this year to only $1 from each ticket sold.
He hopes next year to approach local businesses for donations as they continue to recover from the pandemic. 
Lexington now turns its attention to the regular season. It has 3 more games before opening Region 5-5A play March 19 at home against archrival River Bluff. 
With only 2 playoff teams per region, the Wildcats know they have to approach each game with a sense of urgency.
"I feel like this is the best region in the state," Gettys said. "We start off with River Bluff as the 1st region game of the year and it's really very little room for error. So, you feel like almost every game is a must win if you're going to make the playoffs because only the top 2 are going."
"We're hungry," Midfield defender Travis Sewell said. "We want a title. This is our last year and it's the only thing on our minds." 

FINAL STANDINGS FROM CATS KICK CANCER KICKOFF CLASSIC

1st - Lexington

2nd - Greenwood

3rd - Summerville

4th - Gaffney

5th (tie) - West Florence/South Aiken

7th - White Knoll

8th - Aiken