TRIBUNE/Matthew Gorry
Jacob Shores and the Rams cruised to a 11-2 victory over East Wilkes Wednesday night for their first conference win of the year.
BOONVILLE - After dropping a physical conference opener to Forbush Monday night, Starmount bounced back in a big way.
The Rams took out their frustration from Monday’s 4-3 loss on win-less East Wilkes Wednesday night in Boonville, powering their way to an 8-1 halftime lead en route to a dominating 11-2 victory to even their conference record at 1-1.
Seven different Rams scored on the night, led by a pair of goals from Chandler Chappell, Jonathan Catalan, Collin Benfield and Daniel Stinson in an offensive explosion.
“I was pleased with how we played tonight, especially our second-team players,” head coach Dale Draughn said. “They got to see a lot of playing time tonight and they looked good. I commented to them after the game that they passed the ball and moved the ball better than our starting group - and that was a challenge to my starting group.”
Chappell started the scoring, finding the back of the net less than 10 minutes into the game off an assist by Catalan. Chappell returned the favor a few minutes later, setting up the senior for the Rams’ second goal.
Four minutes later, Catalan completed a hat trick of assists, finding Chappell and Benfield in a span of 42 seconds to put Starmount up 4-0 early.
Goals by Catalan, Benfield, Luis Luna and Nathan Walker extend the Rams’ advantage to 8-0 in the opening half before East Wilkes stopped the run with a free kick goal off the foot of Juan Galeana Sanchez.
The Cards scored another quick goal coming out of the break when Kiel Cox scored at the 33:14 mark in the second half, but starting keeper Stinson responded with two goals in 10 minutes off assists by Benfield.
John McCormick added the final goal of the night on a penalty kick late in the game as the Rams cruised to the 11-2 victory.
The Rams out-shot the Cardinals on goal by a count of 27 to 7. The Rams split time in goal with Stinson recording two saves and David Barrera recording three saves, while Jake Shores stopped 15 shots for the Cardinals.
With the win, Starmount improves to 3-1-1 on the year and even its Mountain Valley Conference mark to 1-1.
The Rams return to the field with two games next week. The varsity and JV team battle Ashe County next Tuesday before returning home the following night. On Wednesday, the JV host Bishop McGuinness, while the varsity take on Elkin in soccer’s edition of the Battle of the Bridge.
The Elks opened their conference slate with a 6-1 victory over East Wilkes Monday night in Ronda.
Sitting at 3-2 on the year, Elkin hosts Ashe Thursday before its matchup with Starmount.
Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.
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