Wahluke Warriors remain atop prep soccer standings

MATTAWA - Topping Granger, 2-0, last week, the Wahluke Warriors remained in a tie for the top spot in South Central A Conference high school soccer.

At the midpoint of the season, the Warriors are 6-1 in the SCAC and 7-2 overall. 

The contest at Granger was hard-fought. The Spartans played a compact defense and clogged the scoring area.

"They play compact defense and then try and break out and attack when they see an opportunity," coach Arthur de Victoria said. "We have begun seeing more teams take this tactic with us. We have begun learning how to break this style of play."

Wahluke's first goal, in the fifth minute, was an own goal. Eugenio Cruz drove the ball hard into the box, and it was directed into the goal by a Granger defender.

"But it was caused by some aggressive play by our forwards," coach Arthur de Victoria said. "If he had let the ball go through, there were two Wahluke players ready to put it in the back of the net."

The teams went back and forth without scoring for the next 60 minutes. Granger tried to break out and attack but did not create many good opportunities.

Wahluke finally found an opportunity for its second goal in the 74th minute. Eugenio Cruz scored on an assist from Jorge Valdez.

Wahluke had seven corner kicks to two by Granger.