HHS Soccer Team Downs Elks, Looks Good In Payson Tourney

By Greg Perkins
   The Holbrook soccer squad headed to the Payson Tournament on the heels of a 3-1 overtime win over the Round Valley Elks last Thursday.
   Playing at Eagar, Jesus Aguilera used an RJ Alvarado assist to score the first goal of the match 28 minutes into the first half. That score kept the Birds in front until midway in the second half when Round Valley took advantage of a Holbrook mistake and tied the game at 1-1, where it stayed until the end of the first 80 minutes of play.
   In the first 10-minute period of overtime, Jesus Aguilera added his second goal on a penalty kick. In the final 10-minute period Andy Leon got a nice assist from fellow freshman Jesse Spangler and lined a shot into the back of the net, helping secure the conference win.
   Mark Saxton was credited with 11 saves in the match.
   Holbrook also took 11 shots on goal, led by Jesus Aguilera with four.
   “R.J. played a strong game for us at wing and midfield,” said Coach Dave Wright.
   At the Payson tournament the Birds opened with a 5-0 shutout over Verde Valley. Holbrook played well defensively, allowing just five shots on goal, all of which were saved by Saxton, earning his first shut out of the season. Jesus Aguilera scored four of the team goals, making good on all of his shot attempts. Alvarado made good on one of his three attempts. Both were credited with an assist.
   In their second game, the Roadrunners faced an improved St. Michaels team. This match went back and forth, with Holbrook opening the scoring on an Alvarado header. Ten minutes later, St. Michaels tied the score. Alvarado added his second goal at the beginning of the second half, but the Cardinals countered with two scores to take the lead.
   Robert Jaquez then scored twice for Holbrook, putting the Birds back on top for good. His first goal was a nice header just out of reach of the Cardinal keeper.
   Holbrook had 15 shots on goal led by Jesus Aguilera with five.
   Saxton picked off 10 saves in the win.
   On Saturday the Roadrunners returned to Payson to face the host team. Jesus Aguilera again opened the scoring with a header, assisted by Saxton. Alvarado added the second goal, giving Holbrook a 2-0 halftime lead. In the second half the Longhorns knotted the match with two goals. Aguilera then put Holbrook back on top with a nice corner shot, but with just three minutes left in the match Payson again tied the score, sending the match to overtime.
   In the overtime session Payson converted on five of six penalty kicks, while Holbrook made good on just four of six, taking the tough loss.
   Saxton saved eight shot attempts and the Birds took nine shots in the evenly played match.
   In their final game of the tournament the Roadrunners shut out Valley Lutheran by a 3-0 final. Jesus Aguilera added two more goals to his total hitting on two of five shot attempts. Joey Aguilera made good on one of his two shot attempts for Holbrook’s third goal.
   Saxton earned his second shutout, saving all eight shots he faced in goal.
   The Roadrunners are 1-2 in region play and have evened their overall record at 6-6 on the season. They will return to Payson on Saturday, Oct. 3, for a single match, then travel to Snowflake on Wednesday, Oct. 7, for another conference match.