The Pierce County Middle School (PCMS) boys’ soccer team has dominated Southeast Georgia Middle School Conference with a perfect regular season and — as of last Saturday (Mar. 25)— a championship win.
PCMS clinched a 5-0 victory against Ware County Monday March 6.
Goals were scored by (Captain) Alex Lacot (1), (Captain) Christian Romero (3) and Jackson Dubberly-penalty kick
Assists came courtesy of (Captain) Alex Lacot (1), Rólo Luna (2) and Jayme Perez (1),
PCMS enjoyed a landslide win (10-0)against Bacon County the following Wednesday (March 8).
Players who contributed to PCMS’s goals were (Captain) Alex Lacot (2), Christian Romero (2), Jayme Perez (1), Mychal Jackson (2), Emilio Castillo (2) and Fleming Cochran (1).
Coming through with the assists were (Captain) Alex Lacot (1), (Captain) Christian Romero (1), Rólo Luna (2), Harrison Dial (1), Lucas Sapp (1), David DeLeon (1), Chase Smith (1), Blayne McQuaig (1) and Fleming Cochran (1).
Wednesday, March 15, PCMS faced off against Brantley County, walking away with a 4-0 win.
Team Captains Alex Lacot and Christian Romero once again contributed goals to the team’s win (Lacot 1, Romero 2), along with David DeLeon (1).
As for assists, (Captain) Alex Lacot, Seth Hillmire, Rólo Luna, and David DeLeon all had one each.
The middle school boys began the first round of playoffs Tuesday, March 21 and made it through to the next round the following day (Wednesday, March 22) at the Ware Soccer Complex.
It all led up to the Conference Championship game last Saturday (March 25).
A little after 11 am, the PCMS bears took to the field at Pierce County High School to fight Jesup’s Arthur Williams Middle School for the championship trophy.
Expecting a very aggressive and physical game with their opponent, the Bears passed the ball well and went toe to toe with Arthur Williams.
“Arthur Williams’ defensive players worked very hard to keep several balls from passing through to their goal, however, our strikers and mid-field players outmaneuvered the defense from Arthur Williams,” said Head Coach Leslie Lee.
The Bears had a couple near-misses, keeping the pace of the game moving quickly.
Team Captain Alex Lacot struck first with a corner shot into the goal, and Team Captain Christian Romero assisted with the goal.
The Bears moved into half-time ahead by one goal and took a much-needed break.
During the break, coaches talked strategy and the need to be observant of wind conditions working against the Bears in the second half.
However, the boys worked even harder in the second half keeping the ball on Arthur Williams’ end of the field.
About midway through the second half, Alex Lacot scored his second goal with Rólo Luna assisting to the goal.
While wind conditions did present a challenge, the Bears’ defense and goalie Lucas Sapp fought to keep the ball out of their net.
Coaches estimate the Bears kept the ball on Arthur Williams’ side of the field for approximately 80% of the game.
After nearly an hour of play, the buzzer signaled an end to the game and a 2-0 victory for PCMS.
It also marked the end of a perfect 13-0 season for the Bears’ soccer team.
After the game, PCMS Boys’ soccer players and coaches were awarded the Southeast Georgia Middle School Conference championship trophy.
Head Coach Dde Jordan thanks the fans and parents for their support this soccer season as well as the middle school teachers and administration for their support and help during the games.
“Thank you Judy Branch for helping with the scoreboard and announcements. We could not have completed the soccer season without any of you,” said Coach Jordan.
Assistant Coach Cruz Cason expressed his optimism at the beginning of the season due to the skills and grit displayed by his players during their time playing recreational soccer for him.
“Coach Cruz worked diligently alongside the coaches and players during the soccer season, and players rose to the challenge for each game,” said Coach Lee.
The coaches are proud of the leadership displayed by the eighth-graders and will miss the camaraderie displayed during practice and games.
“We enjoyed coaching this exceptional group of boys, and we look forward to another great year for Pierce County Middle School soccer,”
said Coach Lee.
Thirteen team members will be moving to Pierce County High next year.
However, Coach Lee reports that returning PCMS athletes saw action and gained valuable experience across the 2023 season that will serve them well next year.
The PCMS Bears scored 61 goals for the 2023 season, and Team Captain Christian Romero scored 25 of these goals.
The Bears shut out seven teams during the regular season and shut out Arthur Williams in the final Championship game.
