Warden soccer turns back Mabton

MABTON - Brylee Whitney scored two goals and assisted on three more to help lead the Cougars to a 4-2 win over the Vikings Thursday, Oct. 4.

The match got off to a slow start scoring wise as Mabton and Warden battled to a 0-0 score in the first 35 minutes of action.

"It seems every time we travel to Mabton it takes us a while to get going," coach Don Edson said. "And today was no exception."

Things started to heat up however as the first half was winding down when three balls found the back of the net.

The Vikings struck first on a kick by Maricela Chavez in the 36th minute of action to give Mabton a 1-0 lead.

But the score didn't hold up long as the Cougars ran off two unanswered goals.

The first score by Whitney (Brenna Whitney assist) tied the match the match 1-1 at the 37 minute mark. Her second goal of the contest off an assist by Nicole Guerra made it 2-1 Warden in the 42nd minute of play to round out the first half scoring.

The Cougars picked up where they left off in the first half scoring two goals to push their lead to 4-2

The first score by Johanna Burkholder (BryLee Whitney) came at the 48th minute of play. Warden's second goal came 65 minutes into the match on a score by Jennifer Mendoza (BryLee Whitney). Mabton's Genesis Chavez scored on a penalty kick in the 75th minute of action to close the gap to 4-2.

"Once Mabton scored their first goal the girls really focused and started to play as a team," Edson said. "After halftime they settled in and took control of the game. They started communicating, passing and working together. That allowed us to get several younger players some valuable playing time."

The win over Mabton improves the Cougars to 5-3 for the season.

Warden was back in action Tuesday as the team hit the road to take on the Connell Eagles. The results of the match were unavailable at time of press.