Jayson Larson
The Athens Review
ATHENS — The Athens Hornets got two goals from Pedro Cerillo and a shutout from goalkeeper Arturo Alvarado en route to an 8-0 win over the Eustace Bulldogs Tuesday night at Bruce Field.
The Hornets improved to 5-4 on the season and assured themselves a spot in the postseason with the win over the Bulldogs, who fell to 1-8 in district.
Athens could have wrapped up a playoff spot nearly two weeks ago, but consecutive losses to Chapel Hill (2-1, in overtime), Lindale and then Whitehouse foiled the Hornets until Tuesday.
“We wanted to take this game serious and use it to improve for Friday, because it’s going to be a tough game,” Athens Head Coach Mark Ingram said of his team’s 7 p.m. match against Mabank to close the regular season.
The Hornets also got goals from Julio Robles, Jose Romero, Jesus Rodriguez, Ruben Rodriguez and Mic Maldanado.
“Now we’ve got to work even harder,” said Jesus Rodriguez, who has made the playoffs three of his four years on the varsity soccer team. “We’re going to face a lot tougher teams in the playoffs.”
The playoffs will begin next week. Athens is set to play a warm-up game against Palestine next Tuesday.
