Cobras strike with variety of goal scorers going into match against Loyd Star
Published 2:08 pm Friday, January 19, 2024
- Melvin Hernadez cuts through the West Lincoln defense Thursday night. Wesson plays Loyd Star in the Cobra’s final district match Friday night. Hernandez had a hat trick in the win over West Lincoln. (Hunter Cloud | The Daily Leader)
BROOKHAVEN — Wesson got out to a quick lead thanks to a goal by Christian Cayax-Martin and did not let off the gas to beat West Lincoln 7-0 Thursday night. The win puts Wesson firmly in third place for the MHSAA Class 1 Region 7 standings heading into the playoffs.
Cayax-Martin finished the win over West Lincoln with two goals. Aiden Wallace and John Braden James scored a goal each. Wesson Head Coach Hank Jordan said it was nice to see his team have different goal scorers. They will play Loyd Star Friday night with kickoff to follow the girls soccer match.
“Christian helped us get out to an early lead on the other team. He is a hard worker and it was a deserving thing for him to score two goals for us tonight,” Jordan said. “JB went and played basketball as an eighth and ninth grader before coming back to soccer. I knew he would be a good asset as the season has gone on. He has been good about shooting the ball and it is good for his confidence.”
Sophomore midfielder Melvin Hernandez led the team with three goals. He said through an interpreter after the game that he wasn’t going to let the hattrick get to his head and that he was just a “normal kid.”
Hernandez is more than a normal kid though. He is an all around good player in attacking, defending and controlling the midfield. On one run he flipped a switch and cut through the West Lincoln defense like a hot knife through butter.
“”He has come a long way and is passing the ball well. He helps the team succeed,” Jordan said.
Wesson will have a tough task against Loyd Star Friday night. The Hornets sit on top of the region standings with a 6-0 district record. Overall, Loyd Star is 15-1-1. Jordan said his boys are prepared for the challenge.
“We know it will be tough. It always is. We will play them for 80 minutes. I’m never upset with great effort. We always want to win,” Jordan said. “This would be the first time in five years that we have made the playoffs. It is a huge thing to get back in. I’m proud of our guys. I’m just an ol’ ball coach. They are busting their tails and we hang our hat on selling out for 80 minutes and giving our best effort. Now it has come to fruition.”