Brookings blasts Aberdeen Central

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BROOKINGS – Alberto Gomez netted a hat trick and added a pair of assists as the Bobcats beat Aberdeen Central 5-2 in an entertaining Eastern South Dakota Conference boys’ soccer matchup Tuesday night at Fishback.

“We used a really good game against Brandon Valley (last week) and knew that we could play well,” said BHS coach Steve Binkley. “Sometimes you surprise yourselves though. And I think this was a case where we know we have a good team, but a 5-2 score against an Aberdeen team that is always one of the best teams in the state is, for us, pretty monumental. And I think it will raise a lot of heads in the state about what happened with this Brookings team because our guys are all fired up and happy to be home, so we got it on a good night, especially for our seniors.

“We played really well on offense to get those five goals, too, but there were moments with Gabel (Goldhorn) saving a ball defensively on the end line and the way they played the last 20 minutes defensively, that showed a lot of heart.

“So they’re ready for the rest of the week, where Washington comes here and then we go to O’Gorman – and those are the two best teams in the state.”

Gomez found the back of the net just 65 seconds into the game.

The Golden Eagles pulled even on Matthew Maag’s tally in the eighth minute.

Brookings grabbed the lead for good at 2-1 as Keegan Fields booted in a deep goal in the 16th minute. Gomez assisted.

Fields set up Gomez’s score with a cross from the left side in the 45th minute to make it 3-1.

Aberdeen Central’s Jelani Peters answered 12 minutes later, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

Gomez gave the home team some breathing room and completed the hat trick in the 68th minute, with Shaffer Vestal getting credited with the assist. Gomez found Vestal for another goal 4 minutes later, providing for the final margin.

The Golden Eagles (4-5-1, 4-2) outshot the Bobcats 28-19, including 8-7 on goal.

Brookings goalkeeper Zander Larson made six saves.

The Bobcats (2-4-1, 2-2-1) close out the home portion of their schedule taking on Sioux Falls Washington on Thursday at 4 p.m.