After winning their first game on the season on Monday, April 12, the Dawson County Tigers soccer team won their final game of the season 1-0 against Gilmer on Friday, April 16. 

The Tigers ended the first half of the game scoreless against Gilmer but with 11 minutes left in the game, Erick Sanchez dribbled past the Bobcat defenders, finding the back of the net and leading the Tigers to victory. 

“That was great,” Tigers head coach Patrick Muenchen said after the game. “We did look at the Gilmer film and knew we had a shot if we played a good game. The guys did what they were supposed to do.”

The Tigers defense held Gilmer off the last 10 minutes, despite a strong offensive push at the end of the game. Goalie Gio Hernandez blocked the handful of shots that got past the defensive line. 

Before ending the season on two wins, the Tigers had not won a game yet in the season. Muenchen said it is always ideal to play your best at the end of the season. 

The Tigers will not move onto the state tournament and eight seniors from the roster will graduate this May. 

“Great personalities,” Muenchen said. “Whatever we lacked in talent, we made up for in comradery. That goes a long way. If everybody enjoys each other and is having a good time, it makes for a better experience, win or lose. 

“We’re losing a great group of seniors who are phenomenal kids,” Lady Tigers head coach Chess Hamby said after the game. “Through the adversity they faced, they never gave up. Even the last minutes of tonight’s game. That’s just who they are.”

Hamby’s team graduates eight seniors as well. Hamby, who is color blind, received a gift from his team before the game, color blind glasses that his team pitched in to buy him. 

“It’s a special group,” Hamby said. “They almost brought me to tears.”