Sports
Denzel Clarke Helps Propel GAC To a 7-1 Win Over East Hall
GAC wins first round of the Georgia Boys Class AA State Soccer Tournament.
The Spartans of got off to a slow start, but hit their stride and rolled to a 7-1 win over the Vikings of East Hall in the first round of the Georgia Boys Class AA State Soccer Tournament.
Senior Denzel Clarke led the Spartans' attack and GAC also got goal production from seniors Matt Carothers, Kyle Rees and Stewart Abrahart, as well as freshman Max Gomez.
For the first 20 minutes, the match was evenly played until Clarke's first goal midway through the first half.
Find out what's happening in Norcrosswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"We struggled a bit for the first 20 minutes, but then there was a five minute stretch where I thought we started to pick it up, we started to challenge and win balls," said GAC Head Coach Thom Jacquet.
"I felt once we got the first or second goal, I thought we could get a couple more after that. I thought we could take control of the game, which we did. They (East Hall) played well for the first 20 minutes.
Find out what's happening in Norcrosswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"They had chances, we had chances, but nobody could break through. Once we got a breakthrough, I thought the game turned a little after that point," said GAC's coach.
The first goal of the game came off the foot of GAC's Gomez. With 14:42 left in the first half, Gomez received a pass from Abrahart at the top of the 18 yard box. He then out manoeuvred his defender and took a low shot that beat the Vikings' goalkeeper to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
Later in the half, Clarke received the ball off a GAC free kick from midfield. Clarke promptly dribbled past a Viking defender and shot the ball in the upper part of the net giving the Spartans a 2-0 cushion.
However, GAC was not done in the first half. Clarke scored his second goal when he received a long ball, then dribbled into the box and slotted it past the East Hall keeper, giving GAC a 3-0 lead at halftime.
In the second half, it was all Spartans. They totally dominated the game scoring 4 more goals. Clarke capped off the game with a goal, and fellow seniors Rees, Carothers and Abrahart completed the 4-goal onslaught in the second half.
East Hall did get a goal in the second half, but for much of the game, the Spartan defense was solid, allowing few chances from the Vikings. GAC moves on to the second round and will play the winner of Coosa and Carver (Columbus) next Wednesday.
Note: Playoff information was obtained from gasports.com
