The Freedom Patriots opened up the District XI Class 4A Boys Soccer Tournament the way they ended the East Penn Conference Tournament, delivering a pounding, this time to Stroudsburg with a 7-1 victory last Thursday at Freedom.

Patriot striker PJ Tichy scored the first two goals for the Pates, the first on an assist by Sebastian Garces and the second on an assist by Michael Krents.

Krents’ header on an assist by Garces put Freedom up 3-0 at halftime.

Then, in the 47th minute, Tichy accomplished a hat trick and broke the school record for most goals in a season with his 32nd. The record was previously held by Brad Turocy, set in 2018.

“It’s especially a relief to get it done so we can focus on beating teams now,” Tichy said. “We’re looking to get some revenge on Emmaus since they’ve knocked us out the past two years.”

Shortly after Freedom’s Omar Rodriguez entered the match, the senior striker scored the Pates’ fifth goal.

“Seba went for a cross, I went in, and it went past PJ so I chest the ball into the goal,” Rodriguez said. “It was a good feeling to score in districts.”

Garces’ next assist, his 33rd in the 58th minute, also broke a school record.

“The record was set in 1980-something, so I was definitely not around. I’m happy with that, and I’m happy with the team’s performance, but we’re not done yet,” Garces said. “We’re ready for anyone. They’ve just got to bring their A game because we’re bringing ours.”

With 2:41 remaining, Stroudsburg’s Carlos Merino scored the Mountaineers’ only goal.