Robles' hat trick lifts Placer over Nevada Union

Three teams were within two points of each other in the Foothill Valley League boys soccer standings entering Tuesday night. First-place Placer put its 4-0-3 record to the test against host Nevada Union. No amount of Miner magic could have helped Nevada Union, as Placer senior captain Carlos Robles netted a hat trick and an assist in a 5-0 rout to keep the Hillmen on top of the standings. "We knew coming into this game that we had to start off good in the first 10 minutes," said Robles, who scored goals in the 17th, 52nd and 57th minutes. "I just saw the opportunity and I took all the chances I had." Placer coach Philip Costantini said Tuesday's fast start is something the Hillmen have tried to focus on this season and he was happy to see his squad hold a lead within the first 10 minutes of the match. "Our motto has been to win the first 10 minutes. We've been traditionally a good first-half team, but we need to be a full 80-minute team," Costantini said. "I was proud of the boys because those first 10 minutes sets the tone. We were able to control possession." Costantini said Robles' performance was the spark of the offense, but it has been the senior leadership and balanced attack that have the Hillmen closing in on a league title. "Our leadership on this team is unmatched. We've got some guys out there that have been through the fire and so they understand the pressure and that really helps," Costantini said. "We got some young guys that balanced that out. But it's really our senior leadership that has us where we're at." Placer weathered a storm from Nevada Union in the first two minutes, stealing the momentum in the fifth minute when Robles found sophomore Joey Wilke on a counter attack for the first goal of the match. Senior Harper Winans scored late in the first half to give his team a 3-0 lead. The Hillmen (10-3-3 overall, 5-0-3 FVL) hosted West Park (9-3-2, 6-2) on Thursday in a battle of the two top teams in the league. The winner will sit in sole possession of first place heading into the final match, and a tie would benefit Placer because of its earlier 5-0 victory over the Panthers.