OAKWOOD, Ga. — After battling early season injuries and slowly easing back into the lineup throughout the season, Johnson’s Jorge Sandoval is just now getting into midseason form.
And just in time as the Knights will get a chance for back-to-back state titles.
The senior North Georgia-signee’s hat trick in an 11-minute span sparked a 4-0 Johnson win over North Oconee in the Class 4A semifinals on Friday at The Dungeon. It was a welcome sign as the Knights moved into next week’s championship match.
“Jorge is a phenomenal player in those situations. That was a great shot,” Zamora said. “I think he’s as close as possible to being at full force. Perfect timing.”
“It was a hard road to get back. I wanted to be 100 percent earlier but things were stopping me doing that,” Sandoval said afterward. “I feel great now and feel back. I might not be in perfect (game) shape, but I’m 100 percent now and ready to go and try to win another title.”
If there was any question as to whether the prolific goal-scorer was truly back, it was answered on an amazing 34-yard free kick that he curled through the Titans defense and past keeper Riley Phelan untouched for his second goal of the night.
“That was something I needed to help boost my confidence,” he said. “It was the perfect time to have this happen on my last game ever here (at The Dungeon). I feel great again.”
Johnson, the defending Class 5A state champion, will take on Westminster in the 4A finals on Thursday at McEachern Stadium in Powder Springs. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
Westminster knocked off Benedictine 2-1 in overtime in the other semifinal to advance.
In the semifinal match, both teams countered early looking for a quick strike, with North Oconee producing a corner in the 5th minute and solid scoring chance. But from there, the Knights controlled the action.
Johnson had three opportunities in a five minute period, with corner chances in the 12th and 14th minutes, including Daniel Trujillo hitting the post. The Knights finally broke through in the 21st minute.
A quick Johnson rush got another corner in the 21st minute, with Sandoval finding Josue Mendoza in front of the net. Mendoza was able to chip the ball past Phelan for a 1-0 lead with 19:35 left in the first half.
Johnson continued to press the attack with four more scoring chances. But Phelan made three diving saves, including two in rapid succession to keep it a one-score game at the break.
After its quick opening, North Oconee had just one more shot on goal the rest of the half. Johnson had 12 shots in the opening 40 minutes.
It didn’t take long for the Knights to add on in the second half, courtesy of Sandoval. He punched in a rebound for a 2-0 lead in the 47th minute, his 80th career goal, which puts him third on Johnson's all-time scoring list. After his free kick score, he completed the hat trick in just 11 minutes, beating two defenders inside the box and ripping a shot past Phelan for a 4-0 Johnson lead with 22 minutes left.
Johnson had 20 shots on the night to just six for North Oconee (11-7).
From there, the Johnson defense, in front of senior keeper Kristian Hernandez, continued its stellar play, recording its third shutout of the playoffs. Hernandez finished with five saves on the night.
