The Bainbridge High School Bearcats soccer team shutout the Lee County High School Trojans Friday night at Centennial Field, improving their Region 1AAAA South Sub-Region record to 2-0.

Coach Jamie Ard’s Bearcats, who are 7-0 overall, battled to a 0-0 halftime tie after strong first-half defensive efforts by both teams.

The scoring began in the 43rd minute when Alex Benjarano beat his defender on the touchline near the Trojans’ goal, spotted Hal Clement around the penalty area, gave him a little drop pass, and he put it in the net to make it Bearcats 1, Trojans 0.

The Bearcats second goal came in the 67th minute and was also scored by Clement, who took a through ball from behind the Trojans defenders and kicked it into the net.

“Hal Clement scored the crucial goals and once again Alex Benjarano and Louis Mejia were able to supply good service to him when he was open,” Bearcats coach Jamie Ard said after the game. “I give them a lot of credit for making the goal scoring possible.”

“Defensively, we just keep getting better. We are giving our opponents very few opportunities to score,” Ard said.

Villesar Sarmiento is really playing well in the back, and Javius Mitchell and Marshall Mack are coming on strong too, the coach added. “I can’t say enough about the progress that Delonte Martistee has made in playing goal keeper for us. He has been a key component to the success we have enjoyed to this point. I am thrilled with what he brings to the table as far as keeping our net safe. He is doing an outstanding job.”