Hobbton got back in the win column in a big way Wednesday night, shutting out East Column in the first round of the state 1A soccer playoffs.
Coming off back-to-back losses last week, coach Bryan Martinez said he saw a different group of Wildcats on the soccer field, a group communicating better and moving the ball well.
“They were playing just like I like them too — a lot of communicating and a lot of passing,” a pleased Martinez asserted. “This was a totally different team today. They played like they wanted to win. They played good in the beginning and they played good in the end … they just played good.”
Hobbton scored first midway into the first half, when Alex Lezama put the ball into the net on a corner kick.
With a strong defense determined to hold the Olympians, East Columbus couldn’t find a clear way to a shot and ended the half without a score.
It was all Hobbton after the break as well, with the defense holding the visitors and the offense finding opportunities to score.
The second goal came at early in the second period off the foot of Eber Gomez, who also found the back of the net a second time before the game ended.
Martinez said his team showed real heart Wednesday night and played with great effort.”This is the team I like to see; they had the drive to win.”
The Wildcats advance to the second round of the state playoffs, where they will face Red Springs, ranked No. 1 in their conference.
The game, at Red Springs, is Saturday at 3 p.m.
“If we play like we did today,” Martinez stressed, “we have a good shot. But we’ve got to keep the momentum going.”
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