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ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Giovanni Perez, East Union boys soccer
AOW Giovanni Perez

The Lancers’ junior winger made an immediate impact after missing the first week of the season because of obligations with his club team.

One of the top goal scorers in the Sac-Joaquin Section last season, he needed just seven days to surge to the top of the list. East Union played six games last week, four in its own Ervin Mendiola Classico on Friday and Saturday.

Perez factored into the scoring in every contest, totaling 11 goals and five assists.

“It’s a whole different dynamic to have a goal scorer who just finds the back of the net,” East Union coach Ronnie Green said. “And with the pieces around him, they (opponents) can’t just defend him. Earardo (Pelayo), a sophomore, has eight goals, my other wing Angel (Guzman) has eight assists and Anthony Sy has five goals. It’s a perfect storm, if everyone is healthy.

East Union was nearly at full strength last week. The team opened the season by going 3-1 in the Hughson Tournament with several junior varsity call-ups on the roaster.

There was no stopping Perez and the Lancers (9-1) last week. He racked up two hat tricks and two braces, the process. East Union opened the tournament with a 5-0 win over Chavez, which Perez burned for two goals and two assists. In the final round Saturday, he secured his second hat trick of the week in a 4-0 victory against Enochs.

The Lancers are scheduled to host unbeaten Turlock today and travel to Tokay on Friday.