Forks Spartans win big on soccer field

FORKS – The Forks boys’ football team remained light on the pitch and on the bench during Montesano’s 8-0 out at Spartan Stadium on Tuesday.

The Spartans (5-0) were explosive on offense and thwarted the Bulldogs defensively, allowing Montesano just three shots in the game. It was Forks’ second game in two nights after beating Hoquiam 3-0 on Monday.

“We looked fantastic today,” said Tony Flores, senior Spartans. “We just come out and play. This is what we can do. We can score a lot when everyone is together as a team.

Forks coach Ismael Ramos was delighted with his team’s play, telling the team it was their best performance of the season in a post-game group.

“They have [put up good scores in previous games], but our defense was a bit hectic, and they were just slow, ”Ramos said. “They didn’t have the intensity I expected.

“I had a pretty good discussion with them before the game, and I think it kind of put them in the zone. They came to play; they haven’t played like that yet, that’s for sure.

Flores was one of three Spartans to score two goals, getting things going in the seventh minute by scoring a goal on a follow-up after attempting a header. He added another rebound goal in the 56th minute.

“He’s my go-to man, and if I need him to go somewhere he’ll play it,” Ramos said of Flores.

Hector Dominguez entered the game as a substitute and made his presence felt as the full-back sized forward sent a strike just over the bar and sent a good cross to Flores who had eventually found Dominguez’s brother, Jesus Garcia Dominguez, for a 26th minute score.

“Hector knows where to go with the ball. He makes good passes and he knows when to shoot, ”said Ramos. “He doesn’t play with the ball for too long. He had a great assist. This help was Brother Dominguez’s connection; they have already done it against Montesano.

Arturo Dominguez cleared a ball into the box just before half-time for a 3-0 lead over the Spartans. He added a breakaway goal in the 76th minute.

Flores also received a penalty when he was pushed onto the grass into the goal area just after half-time.

Defender Teo Ayala-Weed converted the kick, his second goal in as many minutes after losing a deep strike to give Forks the 4-0 lead in the 44th minute.

“Teo, he stepped up his long shots and scored a great goal,” Flores said when asked which teammates stood out after the game. “Everyone, actually. We all played well.

Sophomore William Perez scored Forks’ other goal in the 70th minute.

Ramos praised the Forks defensive back line of Luis Torres, Ayala-Weed and Colton Duncan for their play.

“Luis Torres – it was by far his best game,” said Ramos. “These guys played against each other for four years; they have that chemistry behind them. I am fortunate to be able to start my coaching career with the team that I have. Not all coaches have this talent of a roster.

Rafael Terrones got the shutout in goal, making some solid first-half saves to keep Montesano goalless.

And the Spartans enjoyed making jokes and cheering on their teammates with good-natured humor throughout the game.

In one example, Ayala-Weed ran deep down the field in the Spartans’ attacking third goal in the first half, drawing whistles from his teammates onto the bench as the defender left a gap in the pitch unattended during of its race.

An observer would get the impression that the team can be a handful, in a good way.

“They’re having fun with it,” Ramos said.

Forks welcomes Tenino on Saturday, with a game against undefeated compatriot Elma looming at home on Monday.

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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be reached at 360-406-0674 or [email protected] news.com.