Varsity Packers soccer remains undefeated in region play

Mar. 27—MOULTRIE — Scoring eight goals in 40 minutes, the Colquitt County Packers defeated Valdosta 10-1 in Tuesday's home region match.

That game was the last in back-to-back matches against the Wildcats with the first being last Friday.

During that away game, the Packers defeated the Wildcats 4-1

Currently, the Packers have won all six of their region matchups and are 11-2-1 overall.

"I liked what we did tonight," said assistant coach Marcus Lopez. "We started out with our typical lineup."

During the first half, the Packers scored two goals while shutting out Valdosta.

First was by Hudson Glen with 16 minutes remaining before halftime.

Taking a long shot midway between half point and the goal, Glenn sent a high arching shot over the goalie and into the back of the net.

Not even five minutes later, Christian Mata received a pass from Thomas Preza and was able to slip the ball past the Valdosta goalkeeper for an easy tap past the line.

"We were able to see how they were playing in the first half and adjust," said Lopez. "And then in the second half we were able to come out and just continue to score."

Seeing the opportunity to throw more offense at the Wildcats, the Packers overloaded Valdosta with bodies on the front line and were able to make more calculated shots attempts.

Mata had his foot in five more of those points, though only two more would be the final touch before the goal.

Less than four minutes into the second half, Mata quickly cut in from the wing and successfully sent the ball into the high left corner, away from the goalie's hands.

The last goal of the match also went to Mata when he duplicated his shot, only this time aiming the ball to the top right corner.

Assisting three different teammates, Mata's passes allowed Oswaldo Leon, Glenn and Christian Nuñez to all score.

Receiving a forward pass from Jessie Guerrero, Bryan Ortiz scored the 8th goal of the game on a fast pace, bullet like shot.

Dierick Espinoza, without any assistance, ran up from the side then cut in for a fake out kick past the goalkeeper.

Finally, the last goal needed to add up to those combined 10, was completed by Joshua Ramirez.

Toward the end of the second half, Nuñez put the ball back in play via an indirect kick and, after Espinoza used his knee to direct the ball toward the goal, Ramirez was able to tap it in.

If the Packers had gotten one more point before the 80 minute running clock expired the game would have ended via the mercy rule.

Throughout the entire game, there were 36 shots taken on the Valdosta goal that didn't see the back of the net.

Those Packers who took shots were: Guerrero, Cason Haskins, Edgar Contreras, Banks Flowers, Turner McDaniel, Thomas Preza, Luis Mejia, Will Blanton, Irineo Daniel Martinez and Netalm Garcia.

During the match, the Packers played just as well defensively as they did offensively.

Stopping breakaways were: Mario Portillo, Glenn, Nuñez, Blanton, Mejia and Garcia.

Utilizing the headbutt is something the Packers are always proficient at and a plethora of athletes used their craniums during the game, including: Glenn, Uziel Garcia-Diaz, Leon, Guerrero, Ramirez, Garcia, Portillo, Mata, Espinoza and Nuñez.

Goalkeepers Wilson Hulett and Navi Rodriguez had a combined total of five saves throughout the game.

For the final region game of the season, the Packers will travel to Richmond Hill on Friday.

The next opportunity to watch the Packers compete at Packer Park will be on April 9. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. following the Lady Packers.