After starting the season winless through three games, the North Hall boys soccer team needed a good showing in its Area 7-AAA opener Tuesday.
And the Trojans (1-2) got just that on both sides of the pitch with a 5-2 win against Lumpkin County at North Hall.
“(This win) gave our team a little bit of confidence,” North Hall coach Kenny Childs said. “Hopefully it will motivate them to keep the gas on.”
Lumpkin County (2-3) struck first, scoring in the first minute and 30 seconds of the game on a shot by Oswaldo Jasso.
From that point on, however, the North Hall defense contained and controlled the Indians offense allowing only five more shots on goal for the rest of the game.
“With the exception of the first minute and a half, we played well defensively,” Childs said. “David Martin, Cody Pfister, Clay Quinn and Nathan Jones, who made his debut tonight, did a great job for us.
“We’ve got good skill (defensively) and communicate well. Three games in it’s really starting to come together for us.”
North Hall responded quickly to the early deficit when Miguel Morales scored his first of two goals in the game at the 34-minute mark of the first half.
Five minutes later the Trojans took a lead they would not relinquish when Dustin Rowland scored on a pass from Francisco Avila.
North Hall made it a 3-1 game with 37 seconds remaining in the first half on a Marcos Llanas goal, his first of two as well.
“(Miguel and Marcos) are fantastic,” Childs said. “When they’re on up top they almost play as extensions of each other.
“They connect well, are skilled, quick and shoot well and you can’t ask for much more from your scorers.”
With his team up two goals at the half, Childs challenged his team in the locker room.
“I told them that this was their opportunity to see where this season is going,” Childs said. “We can come out and keep the lead or give it up and either way will have results for the rest of this season.”
The Trojans responded four minutes in on Llanas’ second goal of the game and Morales scored his second 11 minutes to later to put the game well out of reach.
Lumpkin County’s second goal of the game came with 12 seconds remaining in the contest off the foot of Mark Stokes.
All told, North Hall’s offense gave Lumpkin County little opportunity on its offensive side, maintaining possession well while amassing 18 shots on goal.
The Trojans return to action at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when they play host to West Hall.
The Indians next play host to Franklin County at 7 tonight.
NORTH HALL GIRLS 5, LUMPKIN COUNTY 0: Led by Allie Wright’s three goals, the Lady Trojans beat the Indians on Tuesday night at North Hall.
North Hall (2-2) also got goals from Tess Patton and Allie Souther.
The Lady Trojans return to action at 5:30 p.m. Thursday when they play host to West Hall. Lumpkin County (2-3) next plays host to Franklin County at 5 tonight.