BROOKHAVEN — Reeves Lindley did not stop at a hat trick as he scored five goals in Brookhaven Academy’s 8-3 win over Cathedral. It was an impressive display of offensive scoring for the Cougars. 

Lindley scored three goals last season and with his five goals tonight has 11 goals this season. He is chasing the school record of 34 goals set by Yojan Hernandez and Cooper Strickland last year. 

Lindley scored his first goal of the night two minutes into the match. Cathedral answered with their first goal of the night 13 minutes later. Brookhaven Academy got back in front when Lindley scored with 17 minutes left in the first half. 

Less than two minutes later, Lindley found the back of the net again to complete his hattrick. He scored again in about 50 seconds to put Brookhaven Academy up 4-1 with 14 minutes until halftime. 

Taylor Evans scored a long distance shot to put Brookhaven Academy up 5-1 with 30 minutes left in the second half. Lindley scored his fifth and final goal of the evening following a beautiful through ball by Teague Russell to make it 6-1. Russell celebrated his assist and it was well earned for the left back who hustled all night long. 

“I couldn’t have scored tonight without Trace Garrett, Taylor Evans and Teague Russell. All of the team helped me,” Lindley said. “I had good support from the midfielders and they helped me out up top.”’

Senior Parker Miller cashed in from the penalty spot to put Brookhaven Academy up 7-1 with 22 minutes left in the second half. Cathedral managed to score a few more goals before the game finished. With 17 minutes left in the second half, BA failed to clear the ball and Cathedral scored to make it 7-2. 

Trace Garrett broke a streak of bad luck when he managed to score Brookhaven Academy’s eighth goal. He had a few shots come close to the goal in the first half. Cathedral scored the final goal of the contest on a free kick with five minutes left. 

Head Coach Alex Brown said he was proud of his team. BA beat Cathedral 2-0 earlier in the season so it was a bit of a surprise for the Cougars to score eight goals. The win puts the team at 3-2. 

“We are really young and inexperienced but they have grown a lot just in these first five games,” Brown said. “We have very few guys left from our team that went to the state championship last season. I’ve kind of thrown them into the fire but I’m proud of their effort and how hard they have been working for coach Brannon Dickerson and I.”

Lindley said the team works well together and off the field they are all good friends. The great team chemistry translates to the field. 

Brookhaven Academy is having to learn how to win closer games this season. Lindley said they have been doing better. 

Brown said Lindley’s role in the team has changed from last season. He is certainly a crucial part of the attack this year and he will try to fill the cleats of Hernandez and Strickland. 

“I like this role better. My midfielders just carry me to the top. It is really all my midfielders who are helping out,” Lindley said. “I had really good passes tonight.”