Coming off a disappointing 2012 season, the Chapel Hill boys soccer team is looking for a fresh start in a new region and classification in 2013. After dropping their first game of the season last week, the team pounced on visiting BEST Academy Wednesday evening for a 10-0 region win. The game was over by halftime due to the mercy rule.

BEST Academy, a three year old school, came to Chapel Hill looking to play their first varsity soccer game. They showed up with only 11 players and a keeper with no gloves.

“We played an opponent tonight playing their first season and the score allowed us to give our second stringers some quality playing time,” said CHHS coach Richard Williams.

The game was a mismatch from the start as Taylor Waldrip headed the ball into the net off an Armando Gallardo corner kick in the opening minutes. Gallardo had a solid night, picking up the team’s first three assists. Two kicks from 10 yards out each by Joshua Oduoyoye and Danny Williams made it a 3-0 game. Waldrip then hit Oduoyoye for his second goal, putting the Panthers up by four.

A few minutes later disaster struck BEST Academy as one of Chapel Hill’s biggest players collided with one of their smallest ones inadvertently. The collision sent the BEST player to the bench, giving the Panthers an 11-on-10 advantage for the rest of the game.

Chapel Hill then went up 5-0 when Omar Lee found Waldrip for his second goal of the game. Akil Shaw scored the sixth Panther goal of the game and then Jamar Gross scored on a Jim Lambert corner kick. Kendall Moite scored the eighth and ninth goals for Chapel Hill, the second coming off an assist by Lambert. The final goal was scored by William Cervantes with a minute left in the half.

Once the half ended the game was officially over.

Williams saw a lot of promise from the second string players, most notably coming from Moite and Cody Harrison.

“They played really well and I expect a lot out of my younger players,” Williams said.

Chapel Hill will now prepare to host rival Douglas County on Friday. The boys will play at Chapel HIll at 7:30 p.m.

DC has defeated Chapel Hill the last three times they have played. Last year they won 6-0.

“Douglas County is a formidable opponent,” Williams said. “A lot of my players play club soccer with some of their players. This is a hot contest. We have to work their midfield, spread the wings and defense, make some crosses from the corners, and make chances from the air.”

The girls will play at Douglas County, also starting at 7:30 p.m.