Super soph scores hat trick in Apollo boys soccer win
December 5, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365
By Don Ketchum
The boys soccer tournament is billed as the Moon Valley Invitational, but it just as easily could be the Apollo Invitational.
That could be considered after Glendale Apollo dominated Phoenix Pinnacle 4-0 in Monday’s (Dec. 5) Bracket B opener of the 12-team Moon Valley competition.
The tournament continues Tuesday through Friday. Bracket A games are at Moon Valley (35th Ave. and Cactus) with Bracket B at Apollo (47th Ave. and Northern). Moon Valley will be the sole site for semifinals on Thursday and championship and third-place games on Friday.
Apollo got a hat trick from sophomore striker Eric Carbajal and its final goal from junior midfielder Marco Carbajal, his brother.
Eric Carbajal played true to his position, striking early. His first goal came only about a minute into the game.
He got his other two in the first half as Apollo led 3-0 at the break.
It is an amazing start for Eric Carbajal, who scored a pair of goals in Apollo’s first win, over Glendale.
He looked so smooth, as if he has been playing up front all along for the Hawks. But that was not the case during his freshman season.
“He was a defender most of last year,’’ said Apollo coach Dan Benford. “Then in one of our last games, he asked if he could play forward. He said, “I have played it in club.’ So we tried it and he scored in his first game there.
“He has all the talent in the world. It’s natural. He is something special.’’
The Carbajal brothers have good quickness and the ability to maneuver the ball through traffic. Most of their teammates display the same characteristics. They were first to the ball on most occasions Monday, and kept Pinnacle from getting good shots.
The Pioneers’ best chance to score came midway through the second half on a breakaway, but goalkeeper Stephen Flores didn’t allow the point, coming up with a big kick save.
Apollo will meet Phoenix Greenway on Tuesday night at 8, and faces Tempe McClintock on Wednesday night at 6. Pinnacle plays Phoenix Washington on Tuesday night at 6 and Phoenix Thunderbird on Wednesday at 4 p.m.