The Gilmer High School soccer program has had a relatively quiet week, save for two boys matches Tuesday and yesterday.

The JV Bobcats picked up its first win of the season on the road at Union, as they downed the Panthers 6-2. Chris Byrd scored two goals for Gilmer, with Arturo Bernabe, Raul Garcia, Carlos Gonzalez and Israel Bautista contributing one each to the final tally.

Bobcat Israel Bautista launches a shot during a JV match last Friday at North Murray. Bautista scored a 35-yard goal Tuesday night against the Union County Panthers, to cap off a 6-2 Gilmer victory. (Photo by: Kevin Hensley)

“A very solid performance, topped off by a stunning 35-yard goal from Israel Bautista, who blasted the ball through the hands of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net,” said Bobcats head coach Simon Phipps. “Chris Byrd played really well and deserved both of his goals. Historically, Union have always been a really tough team to play at both (the) JV and Varsity (levels), so I was really happy with the result and more importantly, how many different boys scored or took shots.”

Yesterday, the varsity Cats traveled to Cartersville to face the Excel Christian Academy Eagles. Although Parker Benitez scored two goals and Byrd added one, Excel matched Gilmer goal-for-goal and the game ended in a 3-3 tie.

The games leave the JV Bobcats at 1-3, while the varsity squad is 2-4-2.

The action will pick up tremendously next week. GHS will send its JV to Fannin Monday for a match. The varsity will have region action Tuesday at Cartersville, before the JV welcomes Pickens Thursday at Clear Creek Middle School and the varsity returns the favor Friday as they travel to Pickens for a region match.

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