Mariner Tritons turned up the heat in the second half of their boys’ soccer season-opening game and cruised to an 8-0 victory over the Island Coast Gators Monday night at Tony McKenna Field.

The Tritons opened a 2-0 lead in the first half, but could have had more. They had shots hit the goalpost three times in the half.

“We played pretty good defense in the first half,” said Tritons coach Martin Cardenas. “We changed some formations for the second half and it created more clear opportunities than we had in the first half.”

Juan Rincon and David Steeb scored two goals apiece with four teammates each adding one goal – Isiah Romano, Lucas Orellana, Josh Teeter and John Teeter. The goal that ended the match with about seven minutes remaining came off the foot of John Teeter.

Travis Pacheco contributed two assists while Tyler Till, Frederico Martinez, Orellana, Josh and John Teeter all had one assist apiece.

“Justin Kuchle and Patrick Lewis played outstanding defense,” said Cardenas.

Goalkeeper Matt Brust made four saves to record the shutout.

Island Coast (0-1) plays at North Fort Myers Tuesday night while the Tritons’ next match is Wednesday night at Ida Baker.

Ida Baker 8, Dunbar 0: Ida Baker began the season with a shutout victory at Dunbar.

Nick Presti led the Bulldogs with three goals. George Kucera added one goal with two assists and Daniel Sharkey added one goal and one assist. Fabian Guzman, Winston Marin and Jed Cicoria each added one goal.

It was Sharkey’s goal that ended the match on the mercy rule just after the water break in the second half.

Goalkeeper Rush Manter-ola made four saves on the night to register his first shutout of the new season.

The Bulldogs (1-0) play host to the Mariner Tritons Wednesday night.

Girls Soccer

Mariner 9, Island Coast 0: Emily DiRoma drilled home three goals while Rebecca Smith and Nicole Romano added two goals apiece to lead Mariner to victory Monday over Island Coast.

Brittany Webb-Martin and Ali Muro-Solis contributed one goal apiece. Kelsey Whitaker was credited with five assists. Goalkeeper Jessica Parks did not make a single save in recording her second shutout of the season.

The Tritons (2-0) host Ida Baker Wednesday.

Cape Coral 0, Charlotte 0: Goalkeeper Amanda Kopale made 17 saves Monday night as Cape Coral played to a scoreless tie at Charlotte.

“We played well on defense,” said Seahawks coach Eric Lamboy. “It was a good battle, back and forth.”

Charlotte outshot Cape 17-6, but Laura Holloway and Megan Terzak played outstanding defense in front of Kopale.

The Seahawks (0-2-1) host Port Charlotte Tuesday.