Washington scores three early goals, wins 2-A soccer playoff opener

Published 3:13 am Sunday, November 10, 2024

By Jason O. Boyd

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WASHINGTON, N.C. — Three early-game goals put Washington’s soccer team in a very good position on Saturday in the opening round of the Class 2-A state playoffs.

The Pack got three goals in the first 10 minutes and Hector Olivares got a hat trick with two second-half goals in a 5-1 win over Graham. The win was the sixth straight for Washington (19-2-1) since a 4-0 loss to Eastern Plains Conference foe Greene Central on Oct. 15.

A win Tuesday at 7 p.m. against Bunn could put the Pam Pack in a third-round match at Greene Central.

“Yeah, when we get the goals fast, we just take more control of the game,” Olivares said. “I have more passion for it since we’re winning, and it’s a lot more fun when we’re out.”

Fans were treated to a quick goal by Washington’s Will Glover in the opening minutes. He received a pass and put it in the left side of the goal just two minutes in for a 1-0 Pack lead.

About five minutes later, Mario Hernandez received a corner kick from Micah Whitley and punched a header in for a goal and a 2-0 Washington lead. The Pack continued to pepper Graham’s goal before Olivares got his first goal on a nice play following a penalty. Oliveras eyed the shot and curled the ball around a wall of Graham defenders and into the right side of the net for a 3-0 cushion in the 10th minute.

“Yeah, we just kind of did what we haven’t done all year,” Washington coach Jim Kozuch said. “We’ve struggled in the last few weeks of putting the ball in the back of the net. So having a little cushion earlier in the game, we’re able to control the game a little bit more. Not have to force the pace to where we feel like we’ve gotta score. So we’re able to play our game a little bit more.”

Both teams traded opportunities but it was Graham that seemed fired up to cut into Washington’s deficit down the stretch in the first half. The Red Devils finally had that momentum pay off with their only goal early in the second half.

A penalty kick resulted in Iker Herrera punching the ball into the left part of the goal and past Washington keeper Jacob Daniels in the 48th minute. Graham tried to convert again as Cesar Santos put the ball in the net in the 53rd minute only to see it get waved off due to offsides.

Seven minutes later, Olivares got another free kick that he placed nicely into the right side of the goal for a 4-1 lead. Olivares got his last goal with nine minutes left as a yellow card against Graham led to him planting the ball into the right side of the net for the final margin.

“Yeah, everyone’s been working hard,” Olivares said. “We worked harder the second half because we gave up a goal. And that gave us more fuel to score more.”

Now it’s on to Bunn with a chance at another victory and keeping the season and recent success going.

“Yep, they’re a good team,” Kozuch said of Graham. “So they did, they stole control from us, they stole the momentum from us. And they were able to capitalize on it.

“But I was very glad that we were able to come back and hold composure. It took a couple minutes to regain where we needed to be. But after we got it, I felt like, shoot, we could have had a couple more breaks, maybe put a couple more in the back of the net.

“But overall, a good solid performance for the first round.”

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