It might be a new look for South Forsyth’s boys this season, but the War Eagles showed on Friday they still intend to be taken seriously, earning an impressive 3-0 win over West Forsyth at War Eagle Field.

West coach Erik Moore said his guys didn’t play to the best of their capabilities, and might have underestimated their county rivals coming in.

“We’re coming out of here with the fact that you can’t take people for granted. I think we came in hearing ‘They lost these kids to Lambert, Lambert’s the team to beat,’ and [our kids] didn’t think about coming out there and executing,” Moore said.

“I think that was the big thing tonight, lack of communication, lack of execution. We’re a lot better team than this.”

Both teams had quality scoring chances early in the first half, but the best of the missed opportunities went to South (1-2), with a ball deflected off the crossbar and a quality save from West  (1-1) keeper Zach Liles killing an open net chance with three War Eagles in front of the net.

But West’s luck ran out with 16:22 left in the first half, as Washington Cafferatta got one of his bright green shoes on the ball during a pileup in front of the net and put the War Eagles on top.

Kameron Tauber added a second goal just 38 seconds into the second half, and Tyler Rising made it 3-0 on a penalty kick with 21:34 left.

“These kids did everything we asked of them. They played how they were coached and they executed the game plan.
Obviously it worked tonight, so we’re happy,” South coach Tom Braun said.

South might have gotten the best chances, but West had its share of opportunities to score during the game. South goalie Kyler Kelsey made a save every time his team needed it, though.

“Kyler is a tremendous keeper, a freshman. He came in with a lot of confidence, controls the back extremely well and we’re really pleased. He did a great job [getting his] first varsity shutout, so we’re happy for him,” Braun said.

Moore said his young Wolverine team lost its cool at times, and hopes the players will learn to channel their emotions into the game in the future.

“I think we let a bigger team push us around a little bit, and we got angry and frustrated and didn’t play our game.
As a result, things kind of snowballed in the second half,” the West coach said.

“We could have beaten this team if we could have settled down a little bit, but give them credit. They played well and South had some good physical boys, and they pushed us around and knocked us off our game, so good for them.”