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The Cardinals’ varsity soccer team had maybe their best week of season over their last two competitions, first against Wharton and then later in the week against Hallettsville. The Cards’ offense turned up to another level as they created 13 goals during the week, by far the highest two-game total of the season. The main beneficiary of the offensive explosion the Cards had last week was junior Javier Mendoza. Mendoza scored six goals with hat tricks in both matches to lead a Columbus team that created chance after chance in front of goal.
Vs Wharton, W, 6-2
Columbus began their week with a trip to Wharton on Monday, Feb. 13. They wasted no time establ ishing a strong advantage over their opponents. The offensive game plan found success early on, and the Cards finished the first half with three goals to Wharton’s lone goal. The second half played into the Cards’ hands once again as they created another three goals while sacrificing just one final goal to their opponents.
Javier Mendoza led a scorching hot Cardinals offense with three goals to claim the hat trick. He received some crucial helping hands as Isaac Vega and Tomas Elias provided a few of the final passes that lead to Mendoza’s goals. Elias scored a goal himself along with Jesus Mendoza and senior Cullen Russell.
Vs Hallettsville, W, 7-2
The Cards not only repeated their strong performance from Monday night during Saturday’s competition against the Brahmas, but they surpassed it with a larger margin of victory. Much of what Columbus found successful earl ier in the week was the same over the weekend as the offense stayed sharp throughout the game.
Columbus had their best first half of the season in a game that never got close in a wire-towire victory. The Cards scored five goals in the first half while keeping a shutout on the scoreboard. They allowed two goals in the second half to their opponents, but they responded with two more goals of their own to push the scoreline to its final margin.
Javier Mendoza’s second hat trick of the week was the leading effort for the Cardinals. Tomas Elias and Cullen Russell each scored another goal as well. Freshman Giovanni Martinez also added to the scoreline with a goal of his own.
