Putnam County’s Emmanuel Meraz scored a team-high four goals on Monday, powering the War Eagles soccer team to a 10-0 win over Josey.
The War Eagles (10-1, 7-0 Region 4-AA) clinched the region title with the rout of the Eagles (7-2), and Meraz, the team’s leading scorer with more than 30 goals, has been a huge reason for their success.
“Emmanuel is a goal scorer for us and always finds a way to wiggle in and get a good opportunity to score,” Putnam County head coach Michael Taylor said after Monday’s game. “He really makes it tough on the opponent’s goalie and their defense. He is very dynamic and really knows how to read the defense well.”
It didn’t take long for Meraz to display his ability to score in Monday night’s match. The War Eagles’ offensive attack artist weaved his way through Josey’s defenders and put a shot into the back of the net less than seven minutes into the 40-minute first half. He scored again less than two minutes later.
The junior striker scored his third goal at about the midpoint of the half, giving Putnam County a 3-0 lead over the Eagles. The War Eagles led 4-0 at halftime after senior midfielder Christian Hernandez hit a shot outside the box.
“It definitely feels good,” said Taylor, now in his second season with the team. “We started a little out of sorts. It took us a while to settle down, but once we did, I think we found our groove.”
Josey initially controlled the tempo on the pitch, but Meraz provided Putnam County’s offense a quick spark with his first goal. After that, the War Eagles controlled the pace of play for the rest of the match, which led to many shots on goal.
Despite giving up four first-half goals, Josey sophomore goalie Kenneth Lewis was solid for the Eagles and kept his team in the game.
However, Lewis’ luck ran out quickly in the second half as the War Eagles netted six goals in 25 minutes to end the game early by mercy rule. Meraz added one goal and several other Putnam shooters scored to solidify the win.
Putnam County’s chemistry on the pitch in the second half showed. Meraz, Hernandez, Bryan Canales, Angel Sanchez, and several other players passed the ball around well and attacked when they got the chance.
The War Eagles’ defense forced Josey into several mistakes and freshman goalkeeper Alexander Jimenez was solid in pitching his 10th shutout of the season against the Eagles.
Putnam County closed out its region schedule against Butler (past print time) on Wednesday this week.
“We’re going to begin to prepare for the playoffs after we play Butler,” Taylor said before the game. “We will enjoy a break next week for spring break, and then we’ll play at Greene (County, April 12), but the state playoffs start shortly after that.”