The first page of the Black Knights’ latest chapter was written on Wednesday — and what a chapter it was for the boys in black and gold.

The Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights opened their 2019 season with a 6-0 victory over Falconer/Cassadaga Valley in a non-league boys soccer game in Silver Creek, highlighted by a four-goal effort by Darren Jimenez.

“I think it was really important for us to come out and start strong,” said Silver Creek/Forestville coach Mark Bratcher. “I think, for a long while, final scores haven’t been able to properly represent their skill. Today, they did a good job showing the league, the fans and opposing teams that they’re for real. They have a lot of skill and talent, and when they work together as a unit, their hard work is going to be displayed on the score sheet.”

Through the early portion of the first half, Silver Creek/Forestville (1-0) only had one quality scoring chance — a corner kick by Spencer Harford that was deflected in the box. Near the halfway point of the first period, Harford got an opportunity after a misplay in the box, but his shot sailed high over the net. From that point on, the Black Knights were clearly the more aggressive team the rest of the way.

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Silver Creek/Forestville’s Darren Jimenez celebrates after scoring one of his career-high four goals during Wednesday’s 6-0 win over Falconer/Cassadaga Valley, in Silver Creek.

“They played better than we did,” said Falconer/Cassadaga Valley coach Dan Molfino. “They wanted the ball more. They’re well-coached and they know what needs to be done. … They were the better team today, no doubt about it.”

Although the intensity was clearly in the favor of the home team, the game remained scoreless until just under five minutes remained in the first half. At that point, the Black Knights broke through, as a long pass set up Jimenez for a breakaway opportunity. Jimenez buried the ball in the bottom far-side corner of the net for a 1-0 lead.

“We had a lot more possession,” said Jimenez of his team’s performance. “We did the hard work, communicated and got the ball through.”

Though they had the lead, the Black Knights weren’t finished before the break. With just six seconds left in the half, Silver Creek/Forestville capitalized on another scoring opportunity, as Jimenez knocked a free ball in the box off the upright and in for the second goal of the game.

“My team is supporting me. They’re getting me the ball when I’m open,” said Jimenez. “I’m getting them the ball, too. We all play off each other.”

The Black Knights just kept coming in the second half, as Jimenez knocked in a header off a beautifully executed header off a corner kick by Harford. The goal marked the second hat trick for Jimenez in his career.

“That was a great corner goal on the header,” said Molfino.

After a pair of assists already, Harford finally got a goal of his own. With 21:58 left in the contest, Harford uncorked a blast on a breakaway for the game’s fourth goal. Just over three minutes later, Jimenez notched another breakaway goal of his own to set a career high with four goals in the game.

“He was at the right place at the right time, and it’s not luck. He moved there. He knew where he needed to be to capitalize,” said Molfino.

Just like in the first half, Silver Creek/Forestville added a sixth and final goal with less than two minutes left in the period, as Giovanni Pacifici re-wrote the story for his day after two prior scoring chances were stopped by the Falconer/Cassadaga Valley goalkeeper.

“The thing that I’m most impressed with is that my team works as a united group,” said Bratcher. “They support each other and they work hard until the very end. … I’m very proud to be their coach.”

The blowout victory was an outstanding way for the Black Knights to start off the season. Silver Creek/Forestville hopes to prove it was not a fluke in its next game, Friday in Silver Creek, against Chautauqua Lake at 4:30 p.m. Chautauqua Lake defeated Pine Valley/Gowanda 3-0 on Wednesday, thanks to a hat trick by Hunter Harris.

Twitter: @bradencarmen