WICHITA— Eric Martinez scored a goal in the first half and two more in the second as the Panther boys soccer team defeated Wichita Home School, 6-2, in the first round of the Titan Classic Tuesday.

Martinez’s first goal came early in the first period off a pass by Carlos Franco to give Great Bend a 1-0 lead. Martinez returned the favor to Franco on a cross pass moments later that led to another Great Bend goal and the Panthers leading 2-0. Franco then converted the last of his two goals on an angle drive before WHS nailed their first goal to close out the half trailing Great Bend, 3-1.

Martinez bagged the second of his three goals of the afternoon at the 25 minute mark, second half on a long pass from Misael Rodriguez. WHS converted their final score of the game trailing the Panthers, 4-2.

Martinez scored for the final time at 1:05 before Rodriguez sealed the win with a straight kick on a Martinez pass in the last minute giving Great Bend the 6-2 victory.

“It’s always good to win on the road,” said coach Gus Prieto. “There is some quality competition at this tournament every year and to come out of the gate with a win will be a huge confidence booster for the guys heading into our game with Junction City.”

The Panthers pick up their first win of the season at 1-2 and will face Junction City to close out the tournament on Saturday at 11 a.m.