Freshmen shine in Apache 9-1 win

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GONZALES — There was no shortage of goals in Gonzales’ 9-1 blowout win against the Floresville Tigers. It was the freshmen who shined, as Daniel Cruz and Anthony Veliz combined for five of the goals in Friday’s game at Apache Field.

“Those two played extremely well,” Apaches’ head soccer coach Greg Ramirez said. “Daniel and Anthony are both freshmen and they need a little bit more work but as you saw tonight their skill level is the same as our starters.”

Early on, it was the work of Santiago Escoto and Rogelio Sanchez up top that pressured the Tigers defense. The Apaches first goal came from a pass Sanchez to Escoto who got inside the right post for a goal in the 3rd minute. But 10 minutes later, Veliz shot a cheeky chip shot that initially looked like a cross but curved its way inside the far post to give the Apaches a 2-0 lead.

“Tonight was phenomenal for our starters, that’s for sure,” Ramirez said. “I really got to see against a 5A team like that how much of a threat we are in the front, middle and our defense, not letting them get past and score.”

Escoto was replaced by Cruz due to a nagging injury, but Ramirez assured that he wouldn’t be out too long. Cruz took advantage of his time and got his first goal of the game in the 25th minute with a blast outside the 18-yard box to add to the lead. He ended his night with a hat trick.

Helping run the middle of the field were Jose Flores and Fabian Cardoza, a duo who Ramirez believes is vital for Gonzales’ success.

“They are comfortable in that middle,” he said of the two. “They know how to make right decisions, they help make things go.”

Flores would end the night with one goal and one assist while Cardoza had a goal of his own late in the first half.

On defense, the back four didn’t let up, with their only goal of the night coming late in the game in the 55th minute on a counter. Even then, Ramirez was impressed with his defenders, especially Tyler Vierig who came in as a reserve.

“Tyler Vierig got a lot of plays,” Ramirez said. “He’s been handling the wing spot for defense pretty well. I’m thinking that he’s going to be seeing a lot more playing time too.”

The smaller back didn’t allow his height become a deterrent as Vierig used his aggression to get to the ball and clear out as needed.

“He doesn’t have a choice,” Ramirez explained. “Tyler is always playing against my starters and they force him to be aggressive. He brings that out on the field.”

Although they got the eight-goal victory, the Apaches are still in need of fine tuning, specifically with their passes.

“We have to really concentrate on not losing the ball after those few passes,” Ramirez said. “Our passes still need work. I know it’s not perfect but we have to get close to it.”

Cruz was the leading goal scorer with three. Veliz was right behind with two. Cardoza, Sanchez, Flores and Escoto each had one goal.

The Apaches travel to Sealy tonight with kickoff set at 7 p.m.

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