Granite Hills boys soccer routs Strathmore
The Granite Hills boys soccer team would prove to be too much for Strathmore, winning 9-0, continuing their win streak into the new year on Wednesday at Rankin Stadium.
Daniel Ruiz led the team with four goals, followed by Alder Morales with three and both Yahir Ramos and Juan Carlos each scoring a goal. Erick Rincon was far and away the assist MVP of the night, assisting on more than half the goals with five.
Both teams took the first half slowly, either due to weather or winter break rust, neither side scoring until almost halfway through the first half. But Ruiz was eventually able to secure the Grizzlies lead with the first goal of the night, assisted by Erick Rincon bringing the score to 1-0.
Morales was next up for a shot on goal, with Rincon assisting. Morales made an excellent shot at the 15 yard line soaring over the Spartan goalie Joshua Ceja. Ceja would then block three more shots by the Grizzlies in the first half, giving his team some much needed defense against the Grizzlies onslaught.
Two more goals were scored before the half ended. Yahir Ramos was assisted by Yair Ruiz before pushing through two Spartan defenders to take a shot on goal; and Ruiz made his second goal of the match and the half, assisted by Rincon once again.
Strathmore started fighting back at the start of the second half, as many Grizzly passes were caught or blocked by the Spartan defense. Johny Gonzalez for the Spartans made a break to the Grizzlies goal with an assist by Saul Diaz and Isaac Delgadio, The kick by Gonzalez was true but Grizzly goalie Oscar Cruz caught the ball straight out of the air.
The Grizzlies were more defensive as the Spartans pushed harder against their opponents. Emilio Valencia was next for the Spartans as he lined his kick up, but the ball curved into the goalpost and was turned over to the Grizzlies.
With that turnover the Grizzlies took their chance and surged to the Spartan goal. Rincon took the lead as he passed multiple Spartan defenders on his way to the 15 yard line. With an expertly timed pass Rincon gives the ball over to Morales who sank the Grizzlies fifth goal into the net.
The Grizzlies continued to apply pressure right where they needed it. Morales and Ruiz taking turns as they both repeatedly kick goals against the Spartans defense, making goals six, seven, and eight for the Grizzlies to lead 8-0. With that the game came to a close with Carlos making the last goal of the night to bring it to the final score of 9-0.
SHS coach Jimmy Madrigal said “We were flat tonight, no doubt about it. We’re fighting a good opponent with Granite and they showed just how tough they were.
“Our midfield was better than it has been but that cant keep a whole team back from the goal. Missing kids from the holidays hurts but we can still play a good game.”
Granite coach Pedro Gonzalez said “Our first half was slow as ice. I talked to the players at half to kick it up and get faster and better and they really took that to heart. Including our defense we played just fine, even with our missing players our team continues to keep up.
Our midfield was fine too, a lot of pass and move, but we need to keep working on it. It’s still a work in progress that I look forward to ironing out with them.”