AWC soccer crushes GateWay

The Arizona Western soccer team needed just three minutes to put away the GateWay Geckos on Saturday at the AWC soccer field.

The Matadors dominated a less than 100 percent Gecko squad, handing them their third loss of the early season by the score of 8-0.

“We had good communication and efficiency of touches tonight,” said Matador coach Kenny Dale. “We tried different combinations. Having the kind of lead we had, you can try different players at different positions, but we understand GateWay didn't have some players come due to some administrative issues.”

Arizona Western headed to the half with a commanding 5-0 lead. The Matadors' scoring frenzy started with an Erik Luzanilla goal three minutes into the game, followed by Mario Soto in the sixth minute off of an Etiandro Tavares corner kick. A GateWay error found the Geckos behind 3-0 at the 27-minute mark. And in the span of about 90 seconds, freshman Francisco Ramirez scored the final two goals of the first half with assists from Julio Castillo and Jordan Evans.

“We played a good first half. This is my first year here. We had good defending, we didn't allow any goals scored,” said Ramirez. “We need to play our wings better and play a lot more simple, get quick touches.”

The second half was not any easier for the Geckos as they allowed three goals, two of which were in final minutes of the game. Evans would make it 6-0 in the 66th minute, and Luzanilla and Soto ended the scoring for the Matadors.

“We just need to get off the bus ready to play,” said Geckos coach Greg Johnson. “We had four starters that didn't travel with us to this game for whatever reason.

“Western is a good squad, very competitive, very sound. I take my hat off to them. We just need to get back to school on defending, tracking runners and not give up goals.”

Arizona Western improves to 3-1 overall and 3-1 ACCAC. The Matadors will travel to Paradise Valley in Phoenix on Tuesday.