Soccer Grems Beat Odessa in District Action, 4-3

The Sacred Heart Gremlins soccer team traveled to Odessa to play Odessa in their first game of Class 2, District 6 soccer.

Playing in full sunshine, but a chilly 40-degree afternoon, the Gremlins were first to score with senior Jackson Manning netting a goal 20 minutes into the game. The Gremlins seemed relieved to be first on the scoreboard. Just minutes before Manning's goal, junior goalie Zander Jackson deflected an Odessa scoring attempt up in the air and sophomore Yovanny Cardenas made a crucial save by heading the ball away from the goal.

Senior George Bain scored a goal with 8 minutes remaining in the first half from an assist from junior Diego DeLeon. The Bulldogs scored with less than a minute left in the half making the score at halftime 2-1.

About 8 minutes into the second half, senior George Bain provided an assist for senior Jackson Manning to score his second goal of the afternoon, putting the Gremlins ahead 3-1. The scoring attempts grew in intensity after the Bulldogs were issued a yellow card. There were several Gremlin shots on goal deflected by the Odessa goalie back into play, but the second and third attempts could not be converted into goals.

Sacred Heart committed an untimely foul in the box and the Bulldogs were awarded a PK. They made the shot and the score moved to 3-2. With 25 minutes remaining, the Bulldogs scored again to tie the score.

Both teams played competitively as neither team wanted their season to end. A second yellow card for the Bulldogs seemed to give the Gremlins extra motivation and with 15 minutes left, senior George Bain scored the winning goal from an assist from fellow senior Andres Vanegas.

Final score:  Gremlins 4, Bulldogs 3

Odessa is now 11-8.

Sacred Heart (21-4) faces Oak Grove (15-5-2) Tuesday, Oct. 31 in Odessa. Game time is 5 p.m.

Sectionals begin Nov. 7.

In the photos:
4665 - junior Josh Pacheco
4768 - senior George Bain
4789 - senior Reuben Smith
4884 - senior Traven Wheeler
4996 - senior Jackson Manning