ARLINGTON — The Arlington Aviators indoor soccer team remained undefeated at home, improving their record 3-1 in a 11-4 victory over the Burnaby Titans on Dec. 21.
The Aviators achieved a record of having the most points scored goal in one game.
The Aviators put on display of ball handling, scoring and defense within the indoor stadium as they racked up points against the Titans.
“We showed high pressure in the beginning,” midfielder Andrew Escalante said.
Arlington goalkeeper Jeff Renslo made crucial blocks in response to the Titan’s’ frequent visits to their side of the field, as well as an assist late in the game, but the Aviators defense gave up four goals in the game, two of which occurred in the final period.
Scoring started slow in the first period, until a goal made by midfielder Hector Rodriguez, assisted by defender Drew Ferris, gave the Aviators a 1-0 lead at 9:53 of the period.
Less then two minutes later, the Aviators followed up with another goal, at 7:25, by forward James Postma, assisted again by Rodriguez.
At first what looked like an easy win for the Aviators, the Titans showed their determination at the top of the second period when they answered back with a goal at 14:12, stepping up the intensity of the match.
The Aviators responded quickly with precision as Escalante scored an unassisted goal at 13:43 of the second period.
Before the second period ended, the Aviators got one more goal by midfielder James Doherty, with forward Dana Garner providing the assist. The Aviators led 4-1 by halftime.
In third period, the Aviators scored three goals, starting with another unassisted goal by defender Solomon Gold at 12:18. Rodriguez made his second goal of the night with an assist by forward Efrain Alvarado at 8:04.
The Aviators gave up a goal at 6:20. The Aviators led 7-2 at the end of the third quarter. “Unfortunately we kind of slacked off in the third,” Escalante said.
The Aviators had a sloppy final quarter. The fourth quarter was their highest scoring quarter, but they also gave up two Titan goals in the process.
The Titans attempted a comeback, scoring two consecutive goals — one made at 12:46 and another at 11:20, bringing the score to 7-4.
The Aviators terminated any chance of a Titans comeback when they scored their final four unanswered goals.
“We got those fresher legs in toward the end of the game,” Escalante said. “It helped pick up the pace.”
Postma scored his second goal of night, with an assist by Alvarado at 9:36. Less then a minute later it was Garner with a goal, with an assist by Renslo. Midfielder Austin Kohn made a goal at 1:43, with Alvarado getting his third assist of the night. Garners finished the final period with an unassisted goal at 1:08, which ensured another home field victory for Arlington.
Aviators Head Coach Phil Bartlow was critical of the team’s finish on a new team.
“It’s tough to look at the scoreboard,” Bartlow said. “I don’t think we played all that well.”
Bartlow believed the defense could have been better executed throughout the game. “I didn’t want to run up the score on them, but I wanted to play better defense,” Bartlow said.
Offensively, Bartlow was pleased with the team’s record of scoring the most goals they had in the two years they’ve been playing.
Bartlow anticipated the next challenge for the Aviators is to win an away game. Though undefeated at home, the team’s only blemish on their record was a loss on the road. The Aviators have four consecutive away games before they play at home again.
“If we play like we have been, we will get there,” Bartlow said.
The Aviators next game will be Jan. 4 against the Bellingham Rapids at 7 p.m.. The Aviators next home game will be Feb. 1 at Soccer First Indoor Sports Facility.
