It isn’t a Hockinson boys soccer game without senior standout Alonzo Flores scoring a goal.
On Thursday, April 10 he racked up three of them.
The Hockinson Hawks swept the season series with their 2A Greater St. Helens League rival the Ridgefield Spudders after a 3-1 win on April 10. In March, Hockinson won on its home turf with a 2-1 result after penalty kicks.
“I try my best to score, but I try my best to provide for my team,” Flores, the 6-foot-3 forward with a strong boot, said. “I love my team.”
He scored against the Spudders in three different ways, as well. First, Flores launched a free kick past Ridgefield goalkeeper Hendrix Flick. Flores then struck with a penalty kick to the back of the net. An emphasis on set pieces in practice by volunteer coach Josh Nichols provided the setup for Flores’ third goal. Flores scored with a header off of a corner kick by Grant Cayton to put the game out of reach.
“We worked on set pieces during training yesterday and we tried to implement that into our game today and lucky for us, it worked well,” Flores said. “I connected on all three of my set pieces. Thanks to Coach Josh over there, you know. I dedicate this win to him.”
Hockinson Head Coach Tony Ayala was pleased to see Flores’ hard work and dedication on free kicks pay off.
“It was great to see him put one in the back of the net on that,” he said.
“He just brings a good energy, right?” Ayala said of Flores. “And, so, the first time we played Ridgefield, you could tell they were kind of doubling him and they made him a focal point of the defense and tonight we talked about how the complimentary boys have to step up, right, especially if they’re going to try and take Alonzo away. He fought through that and he just takes his moments really, really well.”
Hockinson’s goalkeeper, senior Jasper Armstrong, locked down the net to help the Hawks in the win as he stopped 14 shots on net. Ridgefield junior Eli Miller, assisted by Noah Swenson, was able to get by Armstrong for the Spuds’ lone goal.
The Hockinson Hawks, tied in league standings for second place after last week, next faced off against Woodland High School on Tuesday, April 15, but results were unavailable before press time. They next host Washougal High School on Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
The Ridgefield Spudders, in sixth place in league after last week, next faced off against Washougal High School on Tuesday, April 15, but results were unavailable before press time. They next travel north to play Mark Morris High School on Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m.
