Spring Sports: Parkview Sweeps Heritage in Soccer

By Alex Casillas

Parkview’s boys beat Heritage 2-0 Tuesday-night soccer at the Big Orange Jungle in Lilburn.

Panther goalkeepers Jack Falle and Diego Casillas were able to keep clean sheets. Falle started the game with Casillas substituting for the second half. Both keepers made spectacular stops throughout the game.

The game remained a 0-0 defensive stalemate until halftime.

The halftime pep talk must have worked for the Panthers (3-0) as Abel Nguyen scored a stunning goal a minute into the second half. The game remained tense with Mauricio Reyes of Heritage (2-2) continually breaking away and challenging the goalie one-on-one.

Casillas impressively snatched the ball from Reyes’ feet on one of those breakaways

The second goal came after Nguyen, a sophomore striker, was fouled in the penalty box with 27 minutes to go in the game. The referee pointed to the spot and Pete Charter lined up to take the penalty.

Charter’s penalty shot was blocked by Heritage keeper Bradley Saidon, but he was unable to hold the ball and Charter attacked the rebound to score his missed penalty. With Parkview leading 2-0, seniors Charter and Santiago Gubatosi displayed effective passing in the middle of the field to retain possession. Parkview senior Marcos Lopez strongly defended the right side of the field to keep the Patriots from scoring in the final minutes.

“It was a tense few minutes after Abel’s goal, but Pete’s goal gave us a cushion to win the game,” said Casillas after the game. “Tyler Peoples was passing really well, but then he got injured and didn’t come back in the game.”

Parkview continue its roll after starting the season with an impressive 5-0 win against Flowery Branch (0-3). The Panthers also faced North Gwinnett (0-2) last Friday, scoring three goals in the last five minutes to win 3-0 and claim the title in the Ted’s Montana Grill Tournament hosted by North Gwinnett.

Parkview boys travel to play 2009 Div. AA Champions Greater Atlanta Christian on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Parkview’s girls (2-1) beat Heritage (2-1-1), also by a 2-0 score Tuesday.

 Tuesday night. Cherelle Jarett scored the first goal to put the Panthers ahead in the first half 1-0. The Panthers easily controlled possession throughout the second half. With five minutes left in the game, Alex Bowen scored a beautiful goal from a corner kick. Erin Baker almost added to the tally but the opposing keeper made an great stop with 30 seconds to go in the game.