Royal-Wahluke soccer match lives up to its billing
Royal Forward Adam Martinez (11) drives around the defense of Antonio Ayala (15) and Luis Rivera of Wahluke to get a kick back across the mouth of the goal on a play that just missed scoring.
ROYAL CITY - The big high school soccer match that was expected between Royal and Wahluke last Friday on the Royal field was exactly that.
The teams battled hard on offense and defense all game, and defending class A state champ Wahluke prevailed, 1-0, to supplant Royal at the top of the South Central A Conference standings.
"It was a good game. Royal plays a very good game," Wahluke coach Arthur deVictoria said.
With one league date remaining, today, Wahluke is 11-1-1 while Royal is 11-2.
Wahluke has won both meetings with Royal by one goal each time. It's likely the teams will meet again in the finals of the district playoffs, which start on Saturday.
Last Saturday's game was played in a strong westerly wind. Royal faced the wind first and struggled. The ball was affected in such a way that the Royal offense was confused at the start.
"The boys found it difficult to attack in an organized way," coach Jens Jensen said.
In addition, the Royal defense played nervously in the back. Furious action in front of the Royal goal at the seven-minute mark led to the loan goal by Wahluke's Heriberto Mendoza.
From the middle of the field, Luis Rivera passed toward the right side of the goal, and Mendoza completed the play, sending a hard shot wide of the tender.
For a moment the ball appeared to be available to anyone. A Royal defender with a shot at it didn't react, according to Jensen.
"The Wahluke player reacted better and hammered it home," he said.
Royal came back to attack the Wahluke goal almost immediately. One Knight forward sent a perfect pass to the right front of the goal, but the forward on that side missed a header when he collided with Wahluke goalie César Tlatelpa, who was making a play.
With a goal in hand, Wahluke turned to a tough defensive posture. Royal took 17 shots, nine on goal, and all of them were turned away. Tlatelpa recorded nine saves.
Royal had the wind in the second half and attacked repeatedly. But the Wahluke defense held. The key play came at the 60-minute mark when Adam Martinez was awarded a penalty.
Luis Esquivel took the shot and made a good kick, but Tlatelpa was up to the task. He made a low diving save.
In a final, desperate move, Royal pushed its players forward. The Wahluke defense held again.
"The boys were certainly committed and did everything they could, short of finding a way past the Wahluke goal keeper," Jensen said.
Except for being shutout at the goal, Martinez was a fierce leader for the Knights. The hard-driving forward took seven shots, including five on goal.
Luis Esquivel had three shots on goal for Royal. Mendoza and Jorge López had two each for Wahluke. Carlos Barajas had three saves for the Knights.
Royal will conclude its season at home today in a contest with Kiona-Benton. The action will start at 5 p.m.
Wahluke will play Granger at Wahluke. The first game will get under way at 4 p.m.
When the district tourney opens on Saturday, Wahluke and Royal will have byes. They will face first-round winners next Tuesday, May 10, in the semifinals.
On Thursday, May 12, Royal will host the final, and Wahluke and Royal are favored to make that game. That would be their third "big game" of the year.
But deVictoria and Jensen aren't taking anything for granted. The other four teams in the tourney-Granger, Mabton, Highland and Connell-are capable of winning a semifinal.
"All of them can play," deVictoria said.
If either Royal or Wahluke falters in the semifinals, it will go to third-place game on May 12, also at Royal. The winner of that contest will join the two finalists at state.
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