Jackets end 6-AAA slate in style with win over North Murray
The Calhoun boys soccer team played host to North Murray on Friday night in a game which would decide seeding in the for Region 6-AAA in the state tournament. After defeating Cass and Adairsville earlier in the week, the Yellow Jackets were a win away from earning the No. 2 seed and a loss away from being the No. 3 seed. Calhoun did not leave much doubt as they went on to win 5-1 over the visiting Mountaineers, who had already wrapped up the Region 6-AAA crown earlier in the week.
Both teams started the game on even footing as they were feeling each other out. Calhoun (11-5-1, 7-2 in 6-AAA) got out on the front foot in the fourth minute as the Jackets’ Johnathan Cas- tillo made the most of a free kick attempt and scored from approximately 15 yards outside of the box. Calhoun’s Daniel Isep scored the second goal of the game in the 13th minute as he slotted the ball past the opposing keeper in the box for an easy score.
Isep struck again in the 19th minute as he scored on a beautiful header with his back towards goal. North Murray (13-1-2, 8-1) looked dangerous at times during the first half but were not able to create many quality scoring chances. Their best chance at scoring came in the 36th minute on a free kick, but Calhoun goal keeper Eduardo Fajardo made an easy save. At halftime, the Jackets took a 3-0 lead.
It did not take long for Calhoun to assert themselves in the second half. Castillo scored on another free kick from right outside the box to make the score 4-0. Minutes later, Calhoun’s Isep had a chance to score a hat trick in the game, but his shot and his following shot off a rebound both hit the crossbar.
North Murray pulled one back in the 45th minute, as Kevin Garcia chipped a ball over the keeper for a goal. The Mountaineers played with renewed energy after scoring their first goal of the game and almost added a second when they forced a huge save from Fajardo in the 62nd minute.
Calhoun put the final nail in the coffin with five minutes to play as Edwin Soto added his name to the scoresheet. The Jackets finished the game victorious with a 5-1 victory. Coach Matt Rice said he was happy with his team’s performance.
“I’m very proud of every single one of them,” said Rice. “We started the week in fifth place, and we had to play two games this week (before tonight). We knew what was ahead of us. We win one game. We qualify for state as the No. 3 seed. We win both games, and we’re the No. 2 seed, and we get to host here at home. That’s a huge incentive.”
With the victory, the No. 2 seed Jackets host Stone Mountain, the No. 3 seed from Region 5-AAA, on Friday at 6 p.m. It should be a tough first-round assignment, but Rice said he is confident in his team.
“I’m so impressed with the guys,” said Rice. “They sparked up when they got to get back on their home field again. Top to bottom, goalkeeper to striker and everyone on the bench when they stepped over the lines, they gave everything they had. They were tactical and technical with their finishing and their passing. They played with a considerable amount of heart, and I’m very proud of that.”
In other recent prep soccer action:
Calhoun boys 8, Adairsville 2
Calhoun came out strong and never let up as they earned a domi-nant region win on the road on Thursday to clinch a state tournament berth.
The Jackets (10-5-1, 6-2 in 6-AAA) was led by Daniel Isep who fin-ished with a hat trick thanks to three goals. Gerardo Fraire had a strong performance as well with two goals, and Alex Aguilar, Oscar Huerta and Homie Huitanda added one goal apiece.
Contributing assists for Calhoun was Huerta, Fraier, Aguilar, Chris DeLeon and Casey DeLeon. Jame Vo and Alonzo Purvis each saw time in goal and made multiple saves.