Cody Gurley scores hat trick in 5-4 loss to Coweta; Sandites place 6th at Stillwater Cup

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Charles Page High School Boys' Soccer team (3-3) competed at the Stillwater Cup tournament this weekend and took sixth place with one win and two losses.

In the first round the Sandites were defeated 3-1 by Ponca City (3-2) with the lone goal coming from Cody Gurley. In the consolations they picked up a 2-0 victory over Choctaw (1-4) with goals from Kaiden Cox and Ignacio Garcia. In the placement match they jumped out to a 3-1 lead against Coweta (4-1) before the Tigers fought their way back for a last minute win.

Senior forward Cody Gurley was first on the scoreboard, scoring on an assist from Logan Jeffus in the 6th minute. Gabe Reed tied it up two minutes later, but Gurley responded just twelve seconds after that for a brace. The offensive onslaught continued till Gustavo Saldana scored his first goal of the season with a minute left till halftime for a 3-1 lead.

The second half was an entirely different story, however, as the Tigers struck just five minutes into the half. Daniel Fernandez kicked the game-tying shot in the 49th minute, then Gurley reclaimed the lead with a hat trick goal in the 57th minute. 

Cameron Eaves was next in the scorebook for Coweta, tying it back up in the 67th minute, then recorded a brace with the game-winning shot in the 77th minute. 

Garcia gave the Sandites one last opportunity with a corner kick in the final seconds, but the ball deflected up and over the goal and the Tigers secured the win. 

Sand Springs will return to action with a Tuesday night road game at Booker T. Washington (2-1) to kick off district play.