Warden experience takes over against Wahluke

Prep soccer recaps

WARDEN - With several returning varsity players on the soccer pitch this spring, Warden coach Don Edson is hoping experience will lead the Cougars to a successful season.

It certainly did in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over the visiting Wahluke Warriors.

Returning veterans Marco Landeros and Alex Rangel netted the Cougars' two goals, and Warden staved off a last-minute comeback from Wahluke to cement a South Central Athletic Conference East Division win.

It was a good response for the Cougars, who were obliterated in a 6-1 defeat to league favorite Connell on Saturday. Edson said Warden was flat and uninspired in that match, something that changed against Wahluke because of the team's maturity.

"I think that can end up being a big strength for us - we do have quite a few kids with some experience," Edson said.

On Tuesday, Warden had the better scoring opportunities throughout the first half. They missed on a couple corner kicks and shots outside the penalty box before making good on a chance one minute before halftime.

Returning midfielder Mario Landeros dribbled into the box and launched a wicked crossing pass for Marco Landeros, who one-touched his shot past Wahluke goalkeeper Pedro Delira.

The score stayed the same until the 74th minute, when Rangel out-jumped backup keeper Manuel Rubalcava and headed the ball into an empty net. The Warriors trimmed their lead three minutes later on Yoan Miramontes' goal, but it wasn't enough.

The Cougars had 13 shots on goal to the Warriors' 10, and Warden goalkeeper Martin Aguilar collected seven saves. Delira and Rubalcava combined to make 10 stops for Wahluke.

Edson likes what he's seeing from Rangel and senior Scott Phillips, who are powering the Cougars' attack up front.

"So far this season, they've built a really good chemistry," the coach said.

Along with Marco Landeros and Mario Landeros, Warden has a strong midfield that includes Carlos Gomez and exchange student Carlos Galindo.

Galindo is starting along the left side after Susano Rivera was shifted to defense because of an injury to another starter. Gomez is only a freshman, but is making his mark, too.

"He's doing really well - I've been really impressed with him so far," Edson said of Gomez. "I think every game he's just going to get better and better."

Quincy 3, Othello 2

OTHELLO - Christian Medina's hat trick led the Jackrabbits to a Central Washington Athletic Conference win over the Huskies on Tuesday.

Medina got the scoring started 11 minutes in, assisted by Luis Sorto, then converted a penalty kick at the 20-minute mark to put Quincy up 2-0.

Othello's B.G. Guzman halved the Jacks' lead with a penalty kick goal of his own in the 35th minute, but Medina completed his hat trick two minutes later as Quincy gained a 3-1 halftime advantage.

Othello's Angel Roman scored a breakaway goal with 10 minutes to play, but the Huskies couldn't get the equalizer.

The Jacks had 13 shots on goal to the Huskies' nine. Othello goalkeeper Erik Suarez had seven saves, and Quincy's Francisco Tafoya made eight stops.

Connell 4, Royal 1

ROYAL CITY - The Eagles dominated the Knights in a battle of SCAC contenders, getting four goals from Raul Farias in the process.

Farias, the Eagles' star kicker during football season, proved himself perfectly capable of dominating a soccer match as well. He scored in the 12th and 21st minutes to put Connell up 2-0, then put the game away with second-half markers in the 60th and 76th minutes.

Royal's Salvador Vega brought his team within a goal at the 55-minute mark, scoring unassisted.

Connell had 12 shots on goal to Royal's seven. Eagle keeper Jose Garibay made five saves, while Royal's Benny Carmona had eight saves.