The Statesboro boys soccer team rebounded nicely from their 6-2 region loss to South Effingham as they  jumped out to a 4-0 halftime lead and went on to cruise to the 6-0 win over the visiting New Hampstead Phoenix in a region game held at Womack Field.

“We felt like we needed to put that one behind us and I really liked our effort tonight,” said Statesboro coach David Ball. “We definitely responded well in this game, we played like I expect us to play all the time.”

The scoring started at the 28:37 mark as the Blue Devils Payne Van Tassell dribbled past three defenders, and scored the first goal of the game giving Statesboro a 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later Ethan Harrison connected with a blast from 12 yards out to make it 2-0.

Statesboro goalkeeper Patrick Webber helped keep the score 2-0 as he made a diving stop on a break away with 14:25 left in the half. Statesboro added another goal with 4:43 left in the half, as John Desiderio took the ball from about 25 yards out, dribbled through a crowd and scored to make it 3-0.

Just before the half WIll Mackiewicz took a shot that went off New Hampstead defender Devon Barker for an own goal, and a 4-0 Statesboro halftime lead.

Statesboro took a while to continue their scoring. At the 20:32 Donovan Roberts took a pass from Mackiewicz down the right side, and found the back of the net for a 5-0 Statesboro lead.

Desiderio finished the scoring with 2:45 left in the game as he made a couple nice moves and scored from about 15 yards out for the final of 6-0.

“We’ve really tried to work on one touch, two touch, not holding the ball too long,” Ball said. “Trying to work better as a team with better communication, and I liked what I saw tonight.”

Statesboro improves to 4-3 (1-1). Up next Statesboro will host Ware County for a region game Tuesday at 7 p.m.