BUFORD 3

NORTH GWINNETT 1

In their regular season opener and home opener match of the 2017 season the Boys Varsity Soccer Team faced local rival and AAAAAAA opponent North Gwinnett High School.  The Bulldogs of North Gwinnett entered the match with a pair of ties in their first two matches, against Johns Creek and Centennial. The hosts had seen no action since the scrimmage match against Gainesville, after their Tuesday match against Morgan County was canceled due to inclement weather. 

Buford would get off to a quick start, controlling large stretches of possession in the first half. Thirty three minutes in, freshman midfielder Erik Ortiz would cut past a Bulldog center back and find the far corner of the net off a crisp shot from the top of the box. The goal is Ortiz's first and the team's first of the season. Ortiz would see action in his own goal late in the half, after switching into the role of goalkeeper when junior goalkeeper Grant Cookson took a knock. The half would end 1-0 Buford.

Buford would continue controlling possession in the second half. That possession and defensive pressure would translate into two more goals. The first came off the boot of junior striker Sebastian Vasquez and the second would be claimed by senior midfielder Oscar Catalan. Junior goalkeeper Grant Cookson would come back into the match in the second half and would make a number of saves before having a late shot get by him. The game would finish 3-1.

The win is the Wolves first of the season, putting them at (1-0). Buford's next matches involve hosting Lovett (0-2) Tuesday at 7:30 and traveling to Pinecrest Academy (2-0) Friday at 8:00.

Photos courtesy of Sandra Regan