LATHROP — Franklin’s Erick Flores snuck in a couple of first-half goals Thursday night, and after that Lathrop held the Yellowjackets of Stockton scoreless in a 2-0 non-league loss for the Spartans at Bennie Gatto Field.
“We played a great game tonight — a lot better than our last two games,” first-year Spartans coach Chris Chilles said. Lathrop was drubbed by Sierra and East Union the previous two nights.
“We are still trying to find our identity and find out who we are. I’m trying to get these boys to work harder and see the vision I have for them, and they are starting to believe it and they are starting to get it.”
Flores got both goals on rebounds, the first in the seventh minute and the second in the 17th. Franklin (1-1) tallied nine shots on goal in the first half but just two in the second half.
Jose Espinoza plays center-mid and forward for Lathrop (0-3).
“We should be starting off strong in the first half,” Espinoza said. “And we always want to bounce back and be ready for the second half.
“Today we played a whole lot better than we did the last few games. We held them to a two and we always want to come out with the win, but we did play strong defense today.”
The Spartans had problems getting their offense on track, generating just one shot on goal and four shots total. Jose Luis Herrera posted nine goalie saves for Lathrop as the Yellowjackets tallied 11 shots on goal and 14 shots overall.