Cleveland Varsity Boys Soccer got off to a fast start Thursday night against Liberty, eventually winning their first game of their season 2-1.  Senior Eliseo Chavez opened up the scoring in the third minute and Cleveland was in control for the rest of the first half.  Liberty had many opportunities but could not get the ball past senior Cleveland goalkeeper Oliver Aguirre.  At the end of the first half, Cleveland fans started arriving from the Varsity volleyball game and they offered their team loud, noticeable home field advantage.  However, early on in the second half, Liberty silenced the crowd with an easy goal.  Goalie Aguirre had to come out of the box to try and stop the break but they managed to get it past him and score on an open net.  

Cleveland got back in control in the 72nd minute with a goal from a free kick by junior Paetin Nelson-Gibbons.  Nelson-Gibbons shot looked like he was crossing the ball to a teammate, but he insists it was an actual shot stating, “My goal was a real shot, not a cross, just a shot.”  Cleveland was coming off a tie against David Douglas and needed a win to get their season headed in the right direction, and Liberty was the perfect team to play.  Cleveland played well, but Nelson-Gibbons thinks they should’ve won by a lot more.  As Nelson-Gibbons put it, “I thought we got a much needed win last night, but it’s a game we should’ve won 4-0.  Our team’s attitude in the second half was exceptional, which is why we were able to get that second goal to break the tie.”  Aguirre made many spectacular saves in helping Cleveland to their first win of the season.  Cleveland will look to build on this performance at Beaverton next Monday, September 12th at 7 pm.