STAUNTON — It might have been the opening game of the season, but the Waynesboro boys' soccer team has its offense in midseason form.
The Little Giants scored early and often on their way to a convincing 8-2 Southern Valley District victory over Robert E. Lee on Tuesday night at Montgomery Hall Park.
It took less than four minutes for Waynesboro to get things cranked up. Sawyer Janes sent a pass to Hugo Fernandez, who tipped the ball past charging Lee keeper Robbie Hite for the opening goal.
During the 13th minute, Stuart King ran down a pass on the left sideline and centered a pass to Janes, who found the back of the net to give his team a 2-0 lead.
The Leemen momentarily slowed the momentum two minutes later. Chris Bandy scored off a cross from Dustin Burdick, pulling Lee within a goal.
But three goals over a 13-minute span helped Waynesboro take control. An Eddie Juarez header got things started again during the 22nd minute. Janes would add his second score after converting on a give-and-go with Kyle Wright. King would then make it 5-1 with a goal assisted by Jimmy Negrete.
"We were really aggressive, switched the ball really well and possessed really well," said Janes, who would finish the game with a hat trick after a second-half goal. "I'm looking forward to this year."
Just before halftime, an Alan Lopez goal off a feed from Gabe Van Cleave would help the Leemen close the deficit to 5-2, but that was as close as they would get.
Scores by Wright and Juarez, sandwiched around Janes' third goal, helped Waynesboro put the game away during the early moments of the second half.
"In our preseason, we didn't do too well," said Little Giant coach Bill Meicke. "We were looking to get focused, come out and improve in our finishing. I think the guys were up to that challenge. We've still got room for improvement."
The Leemen will try to bounce back when they play another early-season district match at Stuarts Draft on Friday.
Waynesboro will play its home opener Thursday against Western Albemarle.
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