By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
It could have been four or five, maybe even six. But Great Bend junior Alex Galindo had to settle for three goals in Tuesday's home game against Wichita-based Word of Life. It was more than enough for the Panthers to double their win total on the season with a 5-0 victory.
"It was pretty fun working with the team, trying a new formation out," Galindo said. "It was our first game doing it. We worked really hard at practice trying to get goals out of this formation. It's fun to have a game to practice like this."
Galindo got an early start, missing a header on a corner kick just 40 seconds in but taking advantage on a cross from freshman Alex Alonzo just a minute later for a quick 1-0 lead.
Junior Mario Enriquez did his part in net, halting a Panther turnover with a save less than three minutes in. The Fire put three shots toward net in the first seven minutes, and Enriquez made both saves on goal. The Fire later banged one off the crossbar on their best chance of the game.
Midway through the first half, Galindo put two strong shots on goal but the Fire keeper met the challenge. In the final 90 seconds of the half, Galindo beat a diving keeper but his shot rolled just wide.
After a slow start to the second half, Great Bend took over all momentum. Galindo scored in the 49th minute, then buried his hat trick goal in the upper 90 less than two minutes later. Minutes later he just missed on a fourth with the keeper beat.
"It was amazing," Galindo said. "Honestly, I couldn't have done it without my team. All those good passes, Gustavo Alvarado two assists. All those good runs, everything. The team was amazing."
Alonzo found freshman Alex Alcala in the box for a goal with 16:48 remaining, then Alonzo put a shot over the keeper for the fifth and final goal with just over nine minutes remaining.
Great Bend stays home Thursday for a big test against Western Athletic Conference-foe Garden City.