How the Islands boys soccer team came together to knock off previously undefeated Jenkins
It was an important match between two of the best boys soccer teams in the Savannah area at Islands Stadium Thursday night as the Sharks hosted Jenkins with a spot atop the Region 3-3A standings on the line.
A battle-tested Islands squad took a lead into intermission off an own goal, and then poured it on in the second half for a dominating 5-0 victory over the previously undefeated Warriors. Islands improved to 9-3 overall and 7-0 in Region 3-3A play as the Sharks are in the driver's seat in the race to the region title.
Jenkins fell to 9-1 and 6-1 in region play.
"I was impressed with our resilience above all else," said Islands coach Justin Brantley, in his fourth year leading the program. " We stuck to our game plan and played to our style which is being very defensive and then countering quickly."
Brantley noted that the Sharks have played a rugged non-region schedule and their three losses included setbacks against River Ridge, the defending Class 6A state champion, and Lambert, which is currently ranked No. 2 among 6A teams.
It was a tight match in the first half until the Sharks scored in the 35th minute after senior star Evan Narvaez kicked one in that went off a Jenkins defender in for a goal as Islands led 1-0 at the half.
Five minutes into the second half, Julian Roma came in from the right wing and scored on a shot to the left post. In the 62nd minute, Narvaez converted a free kick in spectacular fashion as the left-footer blasted a shot from 50 yards out that curved left to right into the top right corner of the goal just above the outstretched arms of the Warrior keeper.
JJ Stein scored after a long free kick in the 71st minute by Alex Roma, and Narvaez scored his second goal of the night, and 22nd of the year, with five minutes left to make it 5-0.
Brantley said they have moved Narvaez from a wing slot last year to more of an up-top position.
"I think it's given us more cohesion in the midfield and the guys are finding Evan in space," Brantley said.
Narvaez has 22 goals and 16 assists on the season, and said the team, which came down a classification after winning the Region 3-4A crown last year, is poised to make a playoff run.
"Jenkins has improved a lot and their coach has them organized and playing well," Narvaez said. "They came in 9-0 with high hopes and we knew they wanted to it bad, but we wanted it more tonight. We knew their strengths and weaknesses and we stayed composed. As soon as we got that own goal, we put the pedal to the floor and kept going."
Jenkins is a much improved squad that has already passed the seven wins it had over the last two seasons with head coach Moses Green and assistant Samuel James leading a talented squad that includes Ahmed Abdalla, Luis Fuchu, Anthony Rodriguez and Eric Baquedano, who have combined for 40 goals on the year.
But the Sharks back line — featuring Zach Smith, Alex Roma, Langston Kana and Sid Johnson in front of senior keeper Wilmer Martinez — did a great job neutralizing the Warrior attack.
"We weren't moving around well enough," Abdalla said. "Islands passed the ball way better than we did and played better tonight, but we're going to learn from our mistakes and we'll be back."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Islands boys soccer takes region lead with win over quality Jenkins squad
-
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: OHS eager to be at home in bi-district round
Mar. 18—The Odessa High Bronchos played their best soccer in the second half of district play. That's good news as the boys soccer team gets ready for the start of the UIL Class 6A Division I state ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: Panthers bracing for another elimination game
Mar. 18—The Permian boys soccer team may be playing in the first round of the playoffs this week but in reality, it might feel more like a second-round game. That's because the Panthers were in an ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Southside boys soccer's Camren Thompson dedication to hard work pays off with UAB signing
Southside boys soccer's Camren Thompson dedication to hard work pays off with UAB signingYahoo Sports - 1d -
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER: Bronchos to host EP Franklin in bi-district round
Mar. 13—The Odessa High boys soccer team will host El Paso Franklin in the first round of the Class 6A Division I playoffs next week. The Bronchos will face the Cougars at 7 p.m. March 20 at ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Captain Shreve, Bossier, Loyola lead the Shreveport Times 2025 All-Metro boys soccer team
Captain Shreve's Jose Gomez headlines the 2025 Shreveport Times All-Metro boys soccer teams. See who won the major awards, including coach of the year.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
High school boys soccer: Lone Peak beats Layton Christian 3-2
There was a strong message from the Lone Peak coaching staff ahead of Wednesday’s matchup with Layton Christian: Stay composed. The Eagles were fresh off an impressive 1-0 road win against ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Boston NWSL team to shed BOS Nation nickname
Boston's expansion National Women’s Soccer League team is rebranding before the team ever plays a match. The team scheduled to kick off next year will get a new name to replace BOS Nation in the ...Yahoo Sports - 6d -
Cape & Islands high school swim and dive awards announced. Who made the All-Star team?
The best from the Cape & Islands boys and girls swim and dive teams.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami: Time, TV, how to watch Messi play on Sunday Night Soccer
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will take on Atlanta United on Apple TV’s Sunday Night Soccer at 7 tonight. Here's what you need to know.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 32m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 32m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 33m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 37m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 30m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 30m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 30m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 30m