Local girls capture Kick It 3v3 soccer state title

Kick it 3v3, the worlds largest 3v3 soccer event, held its state qualifier this weekend at Anderson-Dean Park in Harrodsburg, Ky.

The Hot Shots, an Under-8 team from Cynthiana, won their pool and the single elimination tournament to qualify them for the regional tournament held in Clarksville, Tenn. They finished the tournament with a division best 4-0-1 record. The Hot Shots combined for a total of 22 goals scored.

The first game displayed the total team effort as four Hot Shots combined for five goals: Kelby Gaunce led with two goals, and Jordan McDaniel, Madison Kellione, and Laura Beth Ledford each scored one goal, defeating the Cheetahs of Mercer County 5-2.

The second game matched the Hot Shots against the Danville Kick Claws, winning 5-4.

The Hot Shots played two more games on Saturday that ended with game three as a 2-2 tie and a game four victory of 4-1. They traveled back to Harrodsburg on Sunday to play the championship game against the Mercer County Cheetahs. The Hot Shots took control early in the second half behind Ledfords team leading four goals, with Kellione adding two and Gaunce one. McDaniel and Olivia Partin kept the Cheetahs at bay with several defensive stops and great ball distribution. The Hot Shots took the finals by outscoring the Cheetahs 7-2.

This is a great group of girls who have embraced the concept of teamwork and this weekend they got rewarded for that, Coach Kevin Gaunce said.