Boys soccer: Spartans help lead big night for area boys teams

Posted 10:42AM on Saturday, May 2, 2015

OAKWOOD -- It took the West Hall boys soccer team a little longer to get going than it wanted on Friday.

But once Richie Castruita put the Spartans in front of their state playoff opener there was little doubt that West Hall was marching on to the second round.

The Spartans claimed a 5-0 victory over East Jackson in the Class AAA bracket, using a hat trick from Castruita and two goals from Sammy Coto to get the job done. It was part of a big night for area boys teams, as five programs -- also including East Hall, Dawson County, Riverside Military and Union County -- won matches, including three of four from Region 7-AAA. (NOTE: See below for a complete list of scores and second round schedule.)

"We didn't play as fast we need to early on. We need to play faster to be at the level we want," West Hall coach Tim Gale said. "But we started picking things up. East Jackson also put up a good fight. Our defense played well tonight, and East Jackson put some pressure on us at times."

Simon Cobian, Cesar Villa and Oscar Bravo also provided assists for the Spartans (9-1-2), who took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

West Hall will play host to Savannah Arts Academy in the second round of the postseason on Wednesday in Oakwood, time to be determined.

BOYS SOCCER FIRST ROUND RESULTS:
Class AAAAAA
Habersham Central 1, Lassiter 1 (Habersham advances on penalties, 4-3)

Class AAAAA
Gainesville 2, Cambridge 1
Dalton 7, Flowery Branch 0

Class AAAA
Johnson 8, Pickens 1
Northwest Whitfield 6, Buford 0
Southeast Whitfield 3, Chestatee 1

Class AAA
West Hall 5, East Jackson 0
East Hall 11, Jefferson 3
Dawson County 2, Jackson County 1
Oconee County 4, Lumpkin County 1

Class AA
Riverside Military 10, Model 0
Union County 4, Armuchee 0
Darlington 5, Rabun County 0

Class A
Walker 6, Lakeview Academy 0