Benny Villalvazo, shown earlier, had a big role in the Hawks’ win.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

Benny Villalvazo had two goals as Triton, the No. 22 seed among East teams in the NCHSAA 3-A boys soccer bracket, knocked off No. 11 Franklinton, 3-1, in the first round of the playoffs on Monday night.

Hawks coach Brian Foster said his team started a little slow after a long bus ride and trailed 1-0 before Elias Lopez passed to Villalvazo down the right side where he sent a well-placed shot into the lower left corner midway through the first half.

Villalvazo scored on a penalty kick to put the Hawks ahead to stay after Omar Hernandez was fouled inside the box at 39:40.

Triton (15-7-1) got its final goal midway through the second half as senior captain Villalvazo selected Luis Elizalde Valente for a penalty kick after a hand ball by the Rams (20-5).

Braxton Davis had six saves in the win.

“We had watched some game film in the afternoon before we left,” Foster said. “I feel like it was one of our best games of the year because we felt so prepared.”

Triton visits sixth-seeded Lee County (16-4-2) in the second round on Thursday.