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By Regina Shiroma

Southern’s Austin Cruz dribbles the ball past FD’s Justin Johnson. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

As the middle of the IIAAG high school boys soccer season rolls around, the Southern High Dolphins are already on a roll. Though off to a late start in their game against the FD Friars, the Dolphins took an 8-0 win over the maroon and gold Wednesday afternoon at the Leo Palace field.

In the first half of play the Dolphins had trouble executing on offense due to the frustrating defensive pressure of the Friars. Knowing they would need the extra help on defense, the FD coaching staff stacked up their defense, leaving Christopher Wintterlee as their lone striker.

Southern’s offense was led by Austin Cruz who contributed a hat trick in the win. The Dolphins, who usually score right off the bat, earned their first goal in the 35th minute when Cruz shot to the far post.

McDonald’s Player of the Game: Dolphins’ Austin Cruz. 3 goals

“We didn’t get to warm up as a team, so it kind of affected us, but then at the beginning of the game we had a slow start, lack of communication, no ball movement. Towards the end of the half, we all came back, and came as a team and put one in,” stated Cruz on his team’s performance.

An assist by Keith Surber allowed Sydney Talledo to score off a header with just two minutes left in the half to put the Dolphins in the lead, 2-0.

The Dolphins, seeming to be more of a second half team, scored five more goals in the second period.

In the 44th minute, the Friars scored an own goal, trying to fend off a corner kick.

Later in the 48th and 56th minutes Cruz scored back-to-back goals, one of which was assisted by Nick Roberto, to put the Dolphins up 5-0.

Dolphins’ Sydney Talledo takes control of the ball while Friars’ Christopher Mallada defends. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Dolphins’ Brandon Casil took a shot of his own inside the box, beating one defender along the way and sending it to the far post just out of the keepers reach.

In the 73rd minute, Cruz completed his hat trick, taking it in on his own.

With just two minutes left in the game, Jason Miller scored the final goal of the game off a free kick from about 20 yards out.

The Dolphins had come back to life, making up for their lackadaiscal first half.

On their rejuvenating second half Cruz, “They [the coaches] said to play Southern ball because that’s how we do. Just play our game and get our head in it. Work hard and don’t give up,” said Cruz.

In other games:
ND def. GW 2-1
JFK def. St. John’s 3-0

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Southern’s Nick Roberto takes a shot at the goal but was blocked by an FD defender. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Southern’s Eddie Lee Lorenzo leaps above CJ Paulino for the header. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

In front of a wall of FD defenders, Southern’s Keith Surber takes a shot at the goal off an indirect kick. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Southern’s Sydney Talledo prepares to cross the ball after getting past the defense.(photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Southern’s Austin Cruz dribbles around the defense of FD’s Christopher Mallada. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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