Taking the field for a Thursday afternoon contest, Escalon’s varsity soccer boys crafted a 9-0 shutout of visiting Modesto Christian on Jan. 3.
The Trans-Valley League contest was the only one of the week for the Cougars, who got production from several players in the victory. There was just a varsity game, as Modesto Christian does not field a JV team.
The first goal for host Escalon came about eight minutes into the contest, Guillermo Alvarez scoring with an assist from Ricky Erazo. Alvarez made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes later, this time with the assist from Jonathan Valeriano.
It was a satisfying afternoon for Moises Grajeda, normally assigned defensive duties but given the chance to join the offensive attack on Thursday. He made it 3-0 midway through the first half with the assist from Alvarez, with two more tallies in the first half by Alvarez, both unassisted.
That made it a 5-0 lead at the half.
“Oscar Gonzalez started in goal and he played about 20 minutes,” head coach Paul Silva noted.
Then Gonzalez got moved on to the field of play and Clay Evans came in as the netminder. Evans had three saves on the day.
Second half action saw four more goals put in by Escalon while they kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard.
Valeriano notched his first goal of the day about 15 minutes in to the second half with the assist from Alvarez and Grajeda put in his second of the game two minutes later, with Arnold Soto getting the assist.
With three minutes left in the game, Jorge Arellano put in a goal off a corner kick from Valeriano, connecting for his first goal of the season.
“He was super stoked and the team was happy for him,” Silva noted.
Closing out the scoring on the day, Valeriano scored an unassisted goal, giving him two goals and two assists for the game.
Silva said the team went in feeling they could get the win and he was pleased that they got several players involved in the scoring, improving to 2-1 in TVL action.
They were scheduled to play at Hughson on Tuesday, Jan. 8 after The Times went to press and will be home to host Hilmar on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 3:30 p.m.
