The Heritage High School men’s varsity soccer stepped out of region play Tuesday night, hosting the Elbert County Bulldogs at Evans Stadium where the Patriots shot their way to a 6-1 victory.

Heritage used the non-region tune-up as a chance to work some new players into the line-up and coach Mike Beshiri had a chance to see his reserve players in action.

“It was a nice all around win,” Beshiri said. “It gave us a chance to utilize some guys in the lineup who don’t usually play.”

Heritage wasted little time getting on the scoreboard, netting a goal four minutes into the game at the 36:01 mark. The Patriots struck first on a goal by Adam North, giving Heritage a 1-0 lead.

Both teams continued to play great defense and fight for position at midfield, but the Patriots put another goal on the board at the 18:41 mark in the first half on a score from Austin Kulp. Kulp scored another Patriots’ goal just two and a half minutes later, extending Heritage’s lead to 3-0.

“It wasn’t his (Kulp’s) best game, but it was still good one,” Beshiri said. “He’s just a fast kid and knows how to play the game so well.”

Kenny Weaver and Austin McMillan scored two more goals for the Patriots in the first half, helping Heritage to a 5-0 halftime lead.

Both teams came out in the second half with more physicality. The Blue Devils scored the first goal of the second half - their only goal of the game - at the 23:39 mark off the foot of Jose Cervotines.

It looked as if Elbert County was going to keep the Patriots scoreless for the entire second half, but the Patriots struck again with time winding down. At the 4:03 mark, Hector Granados scored , sealing the 6-1 victory for the Patriots.

Heritage returns to action Thursday at home against Gainesville in region play.