The Gilmer Bobcats kicked off their soccer season with a rivalry win.
GHS hosted Pickens last Monday and sent the Dragons back to Jasper with a 3-1 loss. They were in Murray County the following day to deliver a 3-1 defeat to the Indians.
The Cats are a veteran-laden squad with six seniors and three juniors in the starting lineup.
“They understand how we expect them to play and have molded their game to fit our program’s standards,” said head coach Taylor Johnstone, who praised the student section for their presence versus Pickens. “Our average possession in the first two games comes in at just under 55 percent. This has been a consistent point of emphasis for us.
“Our successful passing percentage is 61 percent, and I would like to see this number continue to improve. We have learned a lot about ourselves and what we would like to improve on. We’re putting the ball in the net while playing good defense.”
Bobcat Angel Aguillar netted a goal with 10 minutes left in the first half, with assists coming from Alex Tercero and Keby Puac. PHS scored eight minutes later, and GHS answered in the final minute. Puac drew a foul in the box and made the penalty kick for a 2-1 halftime lead.
Brayner Ortiz added the last goal in spectacular fashion three minutes into the second half. It came after Carter Gearhart snagged a PHS pass before funneling the ball to Aguillar, who sent a pass backward over his head to Ortiz. After some fancy footwork to shake a defender three times, he fired a shot from 20 yards out at the top of the box and curled it inside the left post.
GHS was down 1-0 at the half versus Murray. Ortiz was fouled 12 minutes into the second half, and Angel Garcia made the penalty. Two minutes later, Willian Ramirez’s corner kick found Ortiz for a header and a goal.
Ortiz banged in a 25-yard goal four minutes later for a 3-1 lead.
GHS was in Canton Saturday and dropped matches to Dunwoody (1-0) and Lee Count (3-1).
The Lady Cats lost to Pickens (10-0), Murray (5-2) and Sonoraville (9-1). No further information could be obtained by press deadline.