Prep Soccer: Durant responds to challenge, beats Gaither

After a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bloomingdale on Friday, Durant coach Jamin Hollingsworth told his team the only way to have success in its opening match of the Wharton Invitational on Saturday was to fix the attitude problems it had the night before.

"They understand that we need to show up," Hollingsworth said. "We have to put in hard work because we are not good enough to just show up and expect to win."

The Cougars responded with a dominating second-half performance to defeat Gaither 5-2.

The teams started evenly as Durant struck first on a liner from Josh Mansilla in the first half, but the goal was answered before the half with Gaither senior Jordan See converting a penalty kick in the 24{+t}{+h} minute.

Jacob Brumbeloe notched a second half hat trick and pushed the Cougars to the win.

The Cowboys got another goal from See and Mansilla added his second of the match for Durant's final goal.

In other action:

•Newsome took a 3-0 first-half lead against Plant but had to continue to work to get a 6-3 win as the Panthers' Hayden Greiwe recorded a second-half hat trick.

Marcus Starke had two goals for the Wolves, while Joey Perfetto Matt Staggs, Skylar Wilks and Zack Buckner each had a goal.

•After a 0-0 battle against Gaither on Friday night, Newsome came out flat against Jesuit in the team's first match of the tournament. The Tigers punished the Wolves with a 7-0 drubbing behind five second-half goals. The match however, will go down in the tournament books as a 3-0 forfeit win for the Wolves as Jesuit has exceeded the number of regular-season matches a team can play under FHSAA rules. Plant and Freedom will also receive forfeit wins against Jesuit in pool play.

In its early match, Plant defeated Freedom 3-2 behind two Ricky McEwen goals.

Defending tournament champion Sickles picked up a 1-0 win against Plant Friday night, but came out slow and lost 4-0 to Bloomingdale in the Gryphons' opening tournament match.

Bloomingdale has been on a hot streak defeating Durant Friday night and picking up a 3-1 win in its second tournament game Saturday night.

The Wharton Invitational will continue with pool play at the 301 Soccer Fields Tuesday before moving to Wharton for semifinal and finals Wednesday and Thursday next week