Long Beach Poly, the “Home of Scholars and Champions,” opened their boys soccer season against Lakewood High School with a whopping score of 5-0 on Monday Night

The Jackrabbits defended Burcham Field in their Moore League season opener Monday night against the Lancers with intentions to start the season off strong, and Poly wasted no time doing so.

Junior winger Kevin Herejon  scored within the first 45 seconds of the match off the through ball from junior center-back Roque Alvarez,  who also wore the captain’s armband for Monday night’s game. Alvarez also shares the center-back position with senior tank Christian Mendoza, who is currently out on a minor injury, Poly is hoping to see Mendoza back on the pitch for Wednesday nights rivalry match against Wilson High School.

Shortly after the goal, junior right-back Victor Kagurabadza served a throw-in to superstar senior, David “Guerro” Huerta, where he dribbled the ball into the 18-yard box and drew a foul for a Poly penalty kick.

Ultimately, Huerta converted from the penalty spot to extend Poly’s lead to 2-0.

Senior striker, Luke Brown, concluded the game with an amazing performance, scoring a hat trick with help from last year’s Moore League MVP and senior, Omar Juarez, alongside assists from senior wing-back Jesus Villagomez, and junior winger Anner Aguilar.

“I think it’s a huge statement against a very talented Lakewood team,” said Brown. “Despite being outplayed during some parts in the second half  we managed to stick through it and keep a clean sheet against a very talented team and personally, scoring a hat trick is a huge motivation because we have a very tuff schedule ahead of us and I think being able to put goals past very good teams like Lakewood will help motivate myself and my teammates to keep scoring and keeping clean sheets.”

Goalkeeper Amir Diaz Espinoza also had an exceptional game keeping the shoutout with a total of 7 saves throughout the match with help of the defense as well to close the game out.

The Jackrabbits quest for three-peat Moore League title retainment continues with two games next week against El Rancho and Warren High School.