Columbia handed Gainesville High its first boys soccer loss of the season Thursday, routing the Hurricanes 5-1.
Visiting Columbia (3-0) was led by a standout performance from sophomore striker Colyn Weatherspoon, who scored three out of the five goals.
The ‘Canes (1-1-1) came out strong and had the chance to take an early lead, but a goal by Brayden Bunce in the seventh minute was denied for an offside.
With 12:45 left in the first half, the Fighting Tigers began to roar. Weatherspoon beat the defenders to send one low into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
After the Hurricanes failed to clear the ball, the Tigers found another opportunity. Weatherspoon scored the goal again to increase the lead to 2-0 just 10 seconds later.
Despite working to lessen the amount of fouls drawn by GHS, Keenan Bish drew a yellow card late in the first, and was benched for the remainder of the game.
The GHS defense was unable to contain Weatherspoon, as he converted a hat trick after breaking free to score with 37:52 left in the second half.
“We didn’t drop back effectively or quick enough,” GHS coach Noah Van Riper said. “He was able to exploit us on a couple of occasions.”
The Tigers continued to roll against a struggling Hurricanes’ defense. Ryan Steele was given a free-kick opportunity after a foul was called on GHS. Kevin Watson was able to capitalize on the kick for the Tigers in a crowded box, tapping it in to increase the lead to 4-0 with 15 minutes left to play.
GHS was finally able to find some momentum with less than five minutes left in the match.
Constantino Loaiza put one away for the Hurricanes by sneaking the ball past Columbia’s goalkeeper Logan Wheeldon, who saved every other GHS shot on goal.
The Tigers weren’t done despite 1:41 left in the match.
Colton Mitchell took one touch when he found a rouge airball in the Gainesville box and launched it into the goal to close out the game 5-1.
“These guys played their hearts out, so I got to do a better job of finding ways to win games and take more control over games, not letting it get to a point where we’re down by multiple goals,” Van Riper said.
The Hurricanes next host Fort White (0-3) Monday at 7 p.m.
