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Gator soccer teams heading to state finals
u-12 boys
The Hinesville Gators U12 Green, in back (l-r): Robert Miller, Clark Sukaratana, Leitia Leitaua, Ricky Gilliard, DeShawn Jackson and coach Tom Sukaratana. In front (l-r): Tyler Buckley, John Paul Padilla, Zachary Vasquez, Tyler Causer, Stanford Graham and Matthew Fussel. - photo by Photo provided.
The Hinesville Gators U12 Green and the Gator U16 soccer teams won the district championships for their respective divisions May 6.
Both teams compete in the state finals Saturday and Sunday in Columbus.
Coached by Tom Sukaratana, the U12 Green won all four of their games played at James Brown Park.
In the first game. Tyler Causer had a hat trick, while Stanford Graham and Clark Sukaratana also scored goals in the 6-1 win over Hinesville Gator White.   
During the second game against the Columbus Arsenal, Causer again scored a hat trick. Graham and Sukaratana also had goals in the game, for a final score of 5-2.  
In game three against Moultrie, John Paul Padilla and Graham each scored goals, while Sukaratana had four goals. Causer had five assists in the 7-1 win.
The Gators defeated Columbus 3-1 for the championship. Causer and Sukaratana had goals in this game with assists from Padilla and Graham.
The U16 Gators won all four of their games in Stone Mountain
Coached by Arthur Edgar, they defeated Henry County 5-1 to open play.
The Gators dominated the rest of the tournament, shutting out their next three opponents.
They beat Columbus 7-0, TYSA Chaos 7-0 and Henry County 4-0 in the championship.
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