Fairmont Area handles Mankato Loyola
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FAIRMONT - Fairmont Area boys’ soccer put on an offensive clinic on Saturday afternoon at Jeffery Kot Fields. The Cardinals matched their season-high scoring against Mankato Loyola, notching three goals in each half to move to 5-8-1 this fall. Fairmont has gone 2-1-1 since suffering a five-game losing streak in the middle of September.
Nathan Paris led the way with a hat trick, scoring one goal in the first half and two in the second. Dammon Castillo and Ricardo Antonio Morales Herrera each netted a goal. Castillo added to his scoring performance after dishing three assists.
"It felt good," Fairmont head coach Brady Meyer said. "This whole homecoming week has been good for us. We've been playing better and better, so it was good to finish off that week here with a win."
Everything started on the offensive side of the field. Fairmont Area showed its ability to find clear space and pass to open teammates during the first five minutes. Xavier Garcia orchestrated the initial score following his crossing pass from the right and finding Castillo for a quick strike over the middle at 34:24.
Herrera doubled the lead seven minutes later. Castillo handled the ball in the middle of the penalty area once again, and passed to his left for an awaiting Herrera. All it took was a smooth kick to place the second ball past goalkeeper Gabe Speckle.
"The passing was really good, and we have been trying to focus more on that speed that we have up top," Meyer said. "We've been trying to open that up for our guys and those have been the points of emphasis."
Missing two looks at the net in the final three minutes before halftime, Paris got an even better opportunity on a penalty kick with no time on the scoreboard. This time he found the twine and gave Fairmont the 3-0 intermission lead.
A Castillo and Paris connection helped the Cardinals score their first two goals of the second half. Castillo found his teammate screaming down the field with a precise through-ball at the 23-minute mark, with Paris making easy work of the close-range opportunity.
Two minutes later, the two had another combined effort. Castillo led a running Paris near the right post, who with a sliding shot, completed the hat trick and sealed the Cardinals 5-0 advantage.
Alan Rosales put the nail in the coffin with his breakaway shot at the net. Speckle's initial save spun back behind his reach past the posts. The Cardinals finished the contest outshooting Mankato Loyola 13-6.
"I think the guys have really adjusted well and progressed throughout the season," Meyer said. "We can still make a really good run in the playoffs."