'Dogs hit a dozen in shutout victory over Amanda-Clearcreek

THE PLAINS — You only get one chance for a first impression.

Playing its first home game of the new season, Athens soccer absolutely toyed with Amanda-Clearcreek all night, consistently controlling possession in a 12-0. thrashing of the Aces.

Kicking off his senior season in front of the home crowd, Sully Pelot proved why he was given a captain’s armband with a sublime performance from the attacker. Pelot finished the night with a hat-trick and a pair of assists, helping the Bulldogs (2-1) jump out early.

Braeden Talley pitched three goals as well while sophomores Michael Mends and Enzo Servedio also scored first half goals. By the end of the first 40 minutes, Athens held a 5-0 lead.

Emmanuel Mends, Daniel Isiko and Jack Cablish-Kristofco all pitched in second half goals as well.

Completely controlling possession since the first touch, it was only a matter of time before Athens reached the back of the net and broke on to the scoreboard. In the first few moments of the match, Pelot consistently found space down the right wing, opting to pass into the middle with little success at first.

Quickly deciding to take over himself, Pelot picked up possession in the middle of the pitch and snuck one past the Aces’ goalkeeper to give the Bulldogs a lead 10 minutes into the contest.

Pelot’s efforts to set up his teammates would not prove futile however. Roughly three minutes after scoring, the senior would set up a wide-open Talley for his first assist of the night. Shortly after, the two would connect once again with Talley doing just a little more work to get it past the keeper to make it a three-goal game halfway through the first half.

A volley from Michael Mends off of a deflection in front of the net followed by some fancy footwork from Servedio to get around some defenders and find the back of the net suddenly made it a 5-0 game with over 15 minutes left in the first half.

The score stayed stagnant from there until halftime. After the break, it didn’t take long for Athens to get back to work. Just four minutes into the half, Emmanuel Mends got onto the scoresheet with an open-net goal off of a rebound.

Talley would be directly involved with the next two scores after. The attacker found Pelot on the left side for a goal just before tipping in a cross himself to make it an 8-0 game with roughly 32 minutes still left to play.

Chaos in front of the net just two minutes later led to the ninth goal of the night with Isiko finding the back of the net. Shortly after, Pelot completed his hat-trick while giving the Bulldogs double-digits on the scoreboard.

Scoring slowed down significantly with subs starting to be put onto the pitch but Athens did enough to squeak by two more goals before the final whistle. Time eventually ran out as Athens secured a dominant, convincing victory in its home opener.

Looking to keep the momentum going, the Bulldogs travel out to Warren on Aug. 27. First touch is set for 8 p.m. in the late contest.