FRANKLIN
After dropping its first game of the season, the Rock Church soccer club has righted the ship with three-consecutive victories. Wins over Windsor (6-2), Southampton Academy (3-2) and Surry (4-nil) moved the Lions to 5-1-1 on the year.

“It was our best soccer game of the year,” head coach Danny Dillon said of the win over the Dukes. “We moved the ball extremely well. It’s rare to have six different players score, and it’s just a sign of our unselfishness and chemistry.”

Jack Dillon, Michael Fanjul, Gabby Fanjul, Ben Turner and Cole Butler each netted a goal for the Lions, three of which were assisted by D.J. Dillon, who also scored a goal of his own.

The eldest Dillon was once again the star against the Raiders, scoring two goals in the first half. His counterpart, Southampton Academy’s Landon Weist, tied the game in the second half with two goals of his own. However, Gabby Fanjul gave Rock Church the win with a goal from 30 yards out with only minutes remaining in the match.

“We love playing Southampton Academy,” coach Dillon said. “They have such a great soccer program under varsity head coach Jamie Weist; we both coach the Franklin Fire travel league team together. It’s fun to watch D.J. and Landon go at each other when they are usually playing with one another on their travel team. These kids, only sixth graders, are pretty special scoring at this level.”

The team is equally as talented on the defensive end of the pitch, evident in the 4-nil win over the Cougars.

Goalkeeper Joshua Russo kept Surry posted his first shutout of the season, while D.J. Dillon placed three in the net to get his first hat trick of the year. Michael Fanjul added the other goal.

“I’m proud of these kids and how hard they work to be good at soccer,” coach Dillon said, “But I’m even more proud of how they play to represent God. Regardless of how we play, we want to show every team that we have love in our hearts for them. It’s easy to do when you’re winning but it’s special to see them love, even when they are losing.”