Three second half goals lift Canes to win at Villa Rica

The Cartersville boys soccer team trailed at Villa Rica at halftime Friday night before scoring three unanswered goals in the second half to take a 4-2 non-region win over the Wildcats.

The Canes trailed 1-0 in the first half despite having five breakaway opportunities that went unfinished early in the game.

Near the 30th minute, Alex Rios got away from the Villa Rica defense again and slotted the ball between the keeper and post at an awkward angle to knot the score 1-1.

The Wildcats scored again just before the intermission to take a 2-1 lead into the half.

The Canes took control in the second half.

Hector Galaviz scored for the Canes to tie the game 2-2. The goal came off a deflection from a Yosavanni Pineda shot that the Villa Rica goalie could not handle.

Keeping up the pressure, Cartersville’s Melvin Velasquez was taken down from behind in the box leading to a penalty kick goal that gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead.

Antonio Garcia added the final Cartersville goal off a deflected shot from Kaden Anderson.

The Canes took 21 shots on the night with 14 on frame.

Cartersville (3-4-1) returns to the pitch Tuesday at Sandy Creek and will travel to Cass Friday. Both games are 7:30 p.m. starts.

VILLA RICA 4, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 2

Visiting Villa Rica improved to 8-1 on the season Friday night with a 4-2 win over the Lady Canes.

Cartersville (1-5-1) plays at Sandy Creek Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.