LocalSportsJournal.com
HART – Hart’s boys soccer team is hitting their stride offensively.
On Thursday, the Pirates took down Benzie Central, 5-1.
The Pirates were generous with their scoring opportunities. Three players scored for Hart, with Tyler Larios-Mendez and Adrian Belmares each netting two goals. Adan Cruz also got involved, scoring one of his own.
Things were clicking early for Hart as Cruz assisted Belmares off a corner kick just 10 minutes into the game for a quick 1-0 lead. The pace cooled from there as the Pirates leaned on their defense – a unit that held the Huskies without a single shot on goal for the entire first half.
Larios-Mendez found his first goal of the game with two minutes remaining in the first period, finishing off a solo run to the net by sweeping the ball between the legs of Benzie’s keeper.
Coming out of halftime with a 2-0 lead, Cruz found the back of the net after just three minutes of play. The Pirates piled on six more shots on net after Cruz’s goal before they found their fourth goal of the evening.
Belmares found his second goal on an assist from Cruz to extend Hart’s advantage. Benzie did score a goal late in the game, but the Pirates answered right back off the feet of Larios-Mendez.
Hart keeper Miguel Escamilla finished the night with just one save, not having to do much work. Freshman Luke VanderWilk saw his first varsity action in net, allowing Benzie Central’s lone goal.
Hart improved to 5-10-2 with the win and will look to claim their first conference win when they host rival Shelby on Monday.
