GAINESVILLE — The road to the boys Region 8-AAAAAA soccer crown goes through City Park.
Gainesville ensured as much on Monday night, knocking off Dacula 4-1 at City Park to avenge its only region loss of the campaign so far and give the Red Elephants a one-game lead in the race to the No. 1 seed.
Gainesville charged in front 1-0 courtesy a Jorge Vasquez goal with 27:34 remaining in the first half -- a lead that the Red Elephants (11-2, 6-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) maintained through halftime and late into the contest.
Jovanei Santana doubled Gainesville's advantage with just 13:40 left to play, converting a penalty kick for a 2-0 lead -- and yet the hosts did not stand pat, continuing to press forward, and were rewarded again when Brandon Reyna scored off corner kick for a 3-0 advantage.
Dacula Dacula (5-6-2, 4-3) fashioned its only goal of the contest in reply, Daniel Donivan breaking the Gainesville defense's stranglehold to pull within 3-1. But the Red Elephants were in no mood for a late comeback and Cristian Rodriguez scored with 3:00 remaining to stamp the Red Elephants' full authority on the game.
Gainesville can take another big step toward the 8-AAAAAA title on Thursday when the Red Elephants travel to face Winder-Barrow. Gainesville defeated the Bulldoggs (8-2-2, 4-2) 2-1 in their first match of the season at City Park.
NOTE: The Gainesville girls (3-10-1, 2-6) fell to Dacula 4-2 on Monday.
