RHS defeats East Limestone in Class 5A soccer opener
The Russellville Golden Tigers opened the AHSAA Class 5A boys’ soccer playoffs with a 5-0 win over the East Limestone Indians.
RHS hosted the firstround match. The Golden Tigers scored two first half goals and added three more during the second half to earn the victory.
Hailezgy Solomon got Russellville onto the scoreboard first with a goal that came with 20:54 remaining in the first half. Jose Tristan made the score 2-0 with just under two minutes remaining on the clock until the halftime break.
A penalty kick goal by Cristian Figueroa put RHS up 3-0 early in the second half and additional goals were later added by Aurelio Andres and Chris Mendez.
David Tomas got the start as Russellville’s goalkeeper, and he played the majority of the match. Miguel Alonzo and Romario Fransisco also got second half playing time at the goalkeeper position for RHS.
“It was big,” head coach Trey Stanford said of the playoff win. “We’ve had a lot of young guys playing this year and I’m proud of them because their confidence has built. The first half we came out slow but in the last part of the first half they picked it up.”
Stanford said he was happy with his team’s play in the second half, noting they came out and “played even better.”
“Everybody you play in the playoffs is going to play hard and tough,” Stanford added. “They are fighting for the same thing that you are and that’s the next round. Anytime you get to play at home, it’s a great opportunity.”
The Russellville squad is battling through some injuries to key players that include Manny Martinez, Nievez Figueroa Jr. and Erik Jacinto. Martinez and Figueroa were unable to play versus East Limestone. Jacinto got some first half playing time versus the Indians.
Russellville traveled to Westminster Christian on Tuesday night for the second round of the boys’ playoffs. The Wildcats defeated Lawrence County in their playoff opener by a 4-1 score.
Russellville’s girls also made the 5A playoffs under first-year head coach Casey Guynn. The Lady Golden Tigers traveled to Westminster Christian and the Lady Wildcats defeated RHS by a score of 6-0.
