Victor Hugo Carillo and Bryan Angel both scored three goals Thursday, leading the Effingham Hearts to an 8-0 win at home against Vandalia.

Armando Estrada Angel added two goals and goalie Brandon Duncan recorded three saves in the shutout.

“We had a great showing from some of our younger players,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “It was an opportunity for them to show what they were made of and they did not disappoint. We still have a lot to learn, but I have a lot of faith in our players.

“We moved the ball pretty well and made some important defensive plays,” Peno added. “We got a little jumbled up and lost positioning at times, but overall, I am happy with the contest.”

The Hearts will play at home Tuesday at Mattoon.

The Effingham soccer team didn’t win the championship, but it might have served notice it will be a tough team to beat this fall season.

The Hearts dropped a 3-2 decision to Charleston Saturday to finish in second place at the Charleston Red & Golf Tournament.

Hugo Carillo and Oswaldo Angel scored goals for EHS and goalie Brandon Duncan had 11 saves.

“The game was intense,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “The pace of the game was, for lack of better words, better than anyone expected. Both teams kept their nose to the grindstone and held each other at bay. Our level of play shows just how far our program has come. Today was a testament to that. Though we lost, I am very proud of our team and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

Effingham will play Tuesday at St. Anthony.

Effingham exploded for seven second-half goals Tuesday, en route to a 10-3 soccer victory over St. Anthony.

The Hearts held a slim 3-2 lead at intermission before pulling away.

“It was a sluggish start for us,” EHS coach Weston Peno said. “We weren’t moving the ball or defending like I know we can. It took some motivation and a very tight game at the end of the first half to get them fired up.

“Once we found our rhythm and started communicating, we began to play the way I know we can,” Peno added. “The defense was strong and the ball movement up front was very nice. The creative plays the team ran were a testament to their willingness to work together as a team.”

Eight different Hearts scored goals. Bryan Angel and Tucker Moeller both scored two, while Victor Hugo Carillo, Oswaldo Angel, Josh Bowlin, Andrew Qiu, Parker Siner and Jett McMillan each scored one. Goalie Brandon Duncan recorded six saves.

Jack Elder had two goals for St. Anthony and Luke Swingler also scored. Will Swingler and Landon Adams both had assists and goalie Ivan Dong had 16 saves.

Effingham will play at home Thursday against Vandalia, while St. Anthony travels to Olney.

Effingham recorded two goals in the first 10 minutes and rolled to a 7-1 victory over Olney Thursday in a second-round game of the Mattoon Red & Gold Soccer Tournament.

The Hearts increased their lead to 5-1 at halftime and then scored two more goals in the second half to post its second win of the season.

“Our team passed really well and maintained momentum for a good portion of the first half,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “In the second half, we went out a bit sluggish, but managed to regain control. We scored two more goals and our defense applied pressure downfield to keep the scoring opportunities at a minimum. Our goalie secured the ball and made phenomenal plays.”

Oswaldo Angel led EHS with three goals, while Parker Siner recorded two and both Victor Hugo Carillo and Tucker Moeller both had one. Goalie Brandon Duncan had seven saves.

“I am very happy with the team play and skill the Hearts showed tonight,” Peno said.

The Hearts are scheduled to play in the Red & Gold event both Friday and Saturday.