Wilmer Barona scored a hat trick Saturday to lead Gjoa/Istria soccer club to a 4-1 victory over Saratoga United in the quarterfinals of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association boys’ U-14 State Cup.
Saratoga scored first, but the Gjoa/Istria team answered with two goals in each half to secure the victory.
Nana Mensah scored the final goal.
Anthony Alvila was able to control the flow of the game from midfield, and John Gallego anchored the excellent defense.
The goalkeeping of Roly Alvila, Anthony’s cousin, was outstanding.
The game was clean and hard-fought, and the referee did not have to issue a single yellow or red card to either team.
The next stop for Gjoa/Istria is the semifinals against the Merrick Hurricanes.
