GAINESVILLE — The Gainesville boys opened their season in style with a 3-0 shutout win over Winder-Barrow at City Park Stadium.
Aram Lara, Daniel Solis, and Noe Vasquez each scored second half goals as the Red Elephants (1-0) broke open a scoreless halftime.
Gainesville controlled most of the game through strong play up the middle. David Esquivel got the win in goal for the Red Elephants.
LAKEVIEW ACADEMY 4,
JACKSON COUNTY 4
The Lions and Jackson County played a back-and-forth affair that ended in a draw.
Jackson County jumped out to a 3-0 first half lead before Lakeview Academy staged the comeback.
Whit Coyle got things going for the Lions on an assist from Sam Perrott. Coyle netted three goals as Lakeview continued the rally and eventually took a 4-3 lead in the second half. Arshaq Ali scored on a cross from Coyle for Lakeview.
The Panthers tied it up late in the game and it ended in a draw.
Lewis Coyle recorded 9 saves in goal.for Lakeview.
CHESTATEE 7,
DAWSON COUNTY 1
Jesse Nunez registered a hat trick and added an assist to lead the War Eagles (1-0) to a big opening win.
Eric Ortega tallied two scores and an assist and Alex Calderon and Luis Rodriguez each scored once for Chestatee.
The War Eagles next will travel to Cartersville on Friday.
FLOWERY BRANCH 2,
FORSYTH CENTRAL 1
Max Garnett and Edgar Hernandez tallied goals for the Falcons (1-0). Andree Jimenez had an assist for Flowery Branch.
Branch led 1-0 at halftime and added a goal midway through the second half for a 2-0 advantage. The Bulldogs (0-1) scored with five minutes left to go and the Falcons were able to hold on to the slim lead.
The Falcons next will travel to Class 5A No. 1-ranked Johnson on Friday in a battle of south Hall rivals.
JOHNSON 1,
LANIER 1
The 2021 season did not get off as well as the Knights had hoped. They battled COVID-19 issues with six front-line players out for their home and season opener.
Lanier scored first on a counter-attack in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into halftime. It stayed that way until late.
Johnson finally tied the match when the Longhorns had a miscommunication between one of their defenders and the goalkeeper, which led to an own goal in the waning minutes.
The Knights (0-0-1) will play host to Flowery Branch on Friday.
