MOULTRIE — In the first two home games of the season, the Packers varsity soccer defeated both opponents. 

The final score was 3-2 against Bainbridge, and 3-0 against Thomasville. 

The Packers are currently 2-1-1 so far in the season. 

When they played Bainbridge last Friday, the Packers instantly took control of the game. 

The ball primarily stayed in Bainbridge territory throughout the first half. 

Within the first 10 minutes, Bryan Ortiz blasted the ball from the left side of the goal within the goalie box, going for a high arching shot.

Aiming just a tad high, a metallic ding rang through the air when the ball smacked into the upper rim of the goal, but since it hit toward the bottom of the pole it was sent plummeting down and bounced beyond the goal line. 

Throughout the remaining of the half, a total of 10 shots were taken on goal that didn’t result in a point but, in the last five minutes, another shot did make it’s way to the back of the net. 

Ortiz was the player who had the final touch to complete the goal, but this one was a group effort. 

Completing a long pass upfield, Edgar Contreras sent the ball to Christian Mata, who was outside the goal box on the righthand side. 

With two defenders hot on his heels, Mata did some quick footwork maneuvering before lopping the ball to where Ortiz was waiting just outside the penalty box and he was able to get the ball past the Bainbridge goalie.  

Halftime sounded with a score of 2-0.  

The remaining 40 minutes the intensity was increased as Bainbridge fought to gain the upper hand, which they were unsuccessful in. 

From the result of an indirect kick directly outside the goal box with 13 minutes left in the game, Bainbridge was able to get on the scoreboard. 

7:50 remained when Ortiz again had the final touch on a goal for the Packers. This time he received a cross shot from Jessie Guerrero. 

In the final minute of the game, Bainbridge managed to sneak in another goal; however, they wouldn’t be able to tie the game in those last 60 seconds. 

Defensively, several Packers held off Bainbridge throughout the game. 

Hudson Glenn had a sliding kick to send the ball upfield, keeping Bainbridge from having a corner kick opportunity. 

Utilizing a hip check to unbalance a player with the potential for a breakaway, Dierick Espinoza, was able to gain possession of the ball. 

Using his body to block a shot attempt was Mario Portillo.

Tuesday night’s game against Thomasville had a slow start. 

During the first 40 minutes the Packers took 18 shots on the Thomasville goal; however, none found the back of the net.  

Likewise, Thomasville was unable to score.

Packers goalie, Navi Rodriguez, saved all five of Thomasville’s shots, the last one being a full body jumping dive. 

The score was still goose eggs when the game paused for halftime. 

After the 10 minute regrouping, the Packers came back out determined to win. 

It was with 28 minutes left in the game when the Packers scored their first goal. 

Will Blanton had a long forward pass to Mata, who utilized fancy footwork to shift around both the defenders and goalie for an easy, straight shot. 

Mata also had the final touch on the two other goals for the Packers in the game against Thomasville. 

The second goal was just minutes after the first, and in much the same fashion. 

Hudson Glenn cleared the ball and sent it flying the majority of the length of the field, to Mata who was waiting on the right side of the goalie box.  

Again using footwork to maneuver around defensive players, Mata found himself on the opposite side of the goalie box before he was able to get an opening for a shot.

With a cross shot, the ball went sailing just past the outstretched arm of the goalie and into the right corner of the goal’s netting. 

The final goal for the Packers came with under 20 minutes left on the clock. 

Cason Haskins, from the right corner of the field, sent the ball into the goalie box, much like a corner kick, and Mata was ready. 

Jumping into the air, Mata twisted to be parallel to the ground and perfectly timed his side kick. Before the goalie could react the ball was already in the back of the goal.   

Instantly after the third goal, head coach Colby Simpson did a complete substitution of the team and let the second string finish out the remaining 18 minutes. 

From the goal, Rodriguez stopped three more of Thomasville’s shot attempts.

Both Jessie Guerrero and Bennett Goss had multiple clears from the defensive line. 

Running all over the field was Banks Flowers, who created multiple possession turnovers for the Packers.  

The Lady Packers are currently 0-3-1 in their season so far. 

The Packers and Lady Packers will next face Fitzgerald in there next non-region game on Friday at Packer Park. The first game begins at 5:30, with the second starting instantly afterwards.