Shelby soccer snaps losing skid with 4-0 shutout over Hart

By: Brendan Samuels
LocalSportsJournal.com

HART – Speed and veteran leadership proved to be the difference for Shelby on Monday as the Tigers scored a 4-0 conference win over rival Hart.

“In the first half, we were attacking. Our leaders, especially the seniors, gave us some good opportunities to score,” Shelby head coach Jairo Coronado said. “We dominated and made great things happen all game.”

The Tigers were in desperate need of a win, having recorded four straight losses over the last two weeks—three of those coming versus West Michigan Conference opponents. Hart was in search of its first conference win of the season, looking to take advantage of a team on a downhill slide.

Shelby’s Alejandro Perez. Photo/Leo Valdez

Unfortunately for the Pirates, Hart’s inexperienced roster was not up to the challenge. The Tigers dominated in the midfield, pushing the ball deep into Hart territory early and often.

That dominance for Shelby came courtesy of the brilliant play of senior Mauricio Castillo. Castillo serves as a captain for the Tigers, and the way he directs traffic for his teammates is a big reason Shelby is able to find so many great opportunities.

Castillo got the scoring started for Shelby in the first half, converting after neat combination play from Wyatt Dickman and Ignacio Ortiz six minutes into the game. Eleven minutes later, Castillo was the provider, sending a free kick from outside Hart’s box and finding Ortiz for another score.

“Years ago when I pulled (Mauricio) up as a freshman, I believed he was going to be one of the best players Shelby has ever had,” Coronado said. “He’s proving himself as one of the greats. Whatever we ask of him, he listens and makes it happen.”

Shelby would head into halftime with a 2-0 lead, having prevented the opposition from applying any pressure to their defense.

Things changed a bit in the second half. Shelby was still the aggressor, but Hart found some more fight, mounting multiple scoring opportunities.

Despite the Pirates’ energy and effort, Shelby countered with two more goals in the second half. Alan Arreola scored Shelby’s third goal with 23 minutes remaining in the game, and Castillo followed that up with his second goal of the game, a bullet of a free kick past Hart’s keeper Miguel Ecamilla.

The Tigers hope the 4-0 shutout will lead to a strong district tournament performance. Shelby (7-7-1 overall; 4-5 WMC) will play their final league game of the season on Wednesday when they travel to Ludington to face the Orioles (13-5 overall; 7-2 WMC).