Colonels power past Panthers, advance to Elite Eight
April 24, 2024
The Cass boys’ soccer team built a 3-1 lead in the first half Wednesday night at Cochran Stadium and cruised in the second half to a 7-1 win over Chapel Hill in the Sweet Sixteen round of the GHSA Class 5A state playoffs.
Melvin Velasquez put the Colonels on the scoreboard in the 18th minute off a feed from Edgar Abeja. He followed 16 minutes later with a second goal off an assist from Camden Hillhouse. Just before the half, Velasquez put Cass up 3-1 off a pass from Alex Hernandez.
One minute into the second half, Hillhouse scored the first of four second-half goals for Cass off an assist by Mason Madrid. Five minutes later, Hillhouse assisted Christian Villela to give the Colonels a 5-1 lead.
Velasquez added his fourth goal of the night in the 60th minute off a feed from JJ Grimaldo and Karter Berdnick finished off the Cass scoring with a goal in the 77th minute with an assist going to Sergio Ochoa.
The Panthers' season ends with a 12-5-1 record.
Cass (14-3-1) will hit the road for the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs next Tuesday (April 30). The Colonels will play at Tucker (8-10-2). The Tigers won Region 4-5A and defeated Northgate on Wednesday night, 2-1.
