The Eastside Eagles soccer team rebounded from a Friday night loss with a 4-0 shutout victory over rival Newton Saturday afternoon at Sharp Stadium.
The Eagles' offense squeaked out a single goal in the first half, but poured on the scoring in the second half, notching three goals in the final 40 minutes of play.
Eastside coach Champ Young said that the rivalry match-up added a little fuel to the Eagles’ fire and he was pleased with how his team handled the pressure of playing the Rams.
“This game is always fun,” Young said. “Emotions are always high and they always play us very well.”
The game was a highly competitive contest defensively for most of the first half, with both goalies playing sensationally. The Eagles scored the first goal of the game with 22:16 remaining in the first half, coming off the foot of Mateus Holanda, giving the Eagles an edge after a deadlocked opening 20 minutes.
The Rams attempted to tie the score before halftime, but what appeared to be a goal by Kenquavious McCollum was waved off after Newton was called offsides. Eastside went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
Both teams continued their imposing defensive play in the second half, with the Rams’ defensive charge led by Alan Yi and Carlvon Betts. Yi and Betts each prevented goals from being scored on huge defensive stops; however, the Rams’ defensive effort wasn’t enough.
With 21:42 remaining in the game, Dakota Arrington scored the Eagles’ second goal, putting Eastside up 2-0. Just a few minutes later at the 18-minute mark, Holanda netted the third goal for Eastside, and his second of the game, pushing the Eagles’ lead to 3-0.
Daniel Powers scored the Eagles’ fourth and final goal of the game with 6:03 left in the contest, sealing the 4-0 win for Eastside.
“(Mateus) had a great game,” Young said. “He really showed what he could do and he looked good out there.”
Eastside returns to action Friday at home against Chestatee at 5:30 p.m., while the Rams hope to rebound in region action against Druid Hills.
Tigers fall
In non-region action Monday, the Alcovy Tigers boys varsity soccer team dropped an 8-1 decision at home to Grayson. Alcovy returns to the pitch Thursday at home in region
play against Luella at 5:30 p.m.
