Geoffrey Acheampong recorded a hat trick, leading Cate to a 6-0 win at Laguna Blanca in a Condor League boys soccer opener on Wednesday.
This was the first match for both teams after winter break.
“Despite controlling play for most of the game, we showed some rust from the long winter-break layoff,” Cate coach Peter Mack said. “But as the game wore on, we slowly started to get in sync and display the patience, selflessness, and vision that characterizes our play at its best.”
Senior captain got Cate on the scoreboard in the 8th minute, finishing a flick-on up the middle from Acheampong.
Acheampong was active all game long. He tallied his first goal in the 15th minute on an assist from Leighton Brillo-Sonnino.
Abhad Singh made it 3-0 before halftime, tucking away a close shot set up by Yaro.
Acheampong picked up his second goal 10 minutes into the second half, taking a beautiful feed from Tyler Douglas and finishing from 12 yards out.
The sophomore Acheampong completed his hat trick minutes later when he scored off junior Justin Kim’s corner kick from the upper right corner of the box.
Singh put the finishing touches on the game with about 10 minutes to play when he took a long punt from sophomore keeper Dylan Schwartz, dribbled past a defender, and tucked away his second goal of the game.
Coach Mack praised the second-half play of Brillo-Sonnino, Kim, and Yaro in the midfield.
“They were superb in the second half with their ability to control the pace of the game, switch fields, and create scoring opportunities for their teammates,” said the coach.
Cate (4-1-1 overall and 1-0 in Condor League) returns to action next week with a pair of league matches and a non-league game at Santa Ynez.
Laguna Blanca is 0-1 in Condor League.
