Royal soccer splits action

ROYAL CITY - The Royal high school soccer team defeated Wahluke, 2-1, last week but fell to Warden, 1-0, two days later to complete weekly action in the South Central A Conference.

Marcos Quiroz led the Knights with both goals. He gave Royal a 2-0 lead at halftime.

"Wahluke put us under pressure in the first 15-20 minutes, but we were able to battle through and turn the tide, scoring two goals before the half," coach Jens Jensen said.

In the second half, Royal made a few changes and that created some uncertainty in the defense during a Wahluke free kick. The Warriors got to the loose ball first and cut the lead to one goal.

"We were able to hold on for the win," Jensen said. "As far as I can remember this is our first victory at Wahluke, so that is a bonus."

The Warden game was a barn burner that was a 0-0 tie through on overtime. Both sides feared that a strange bounce or a mistake would lead to a winner and, in the second period of overtime, it happened to Warden's benefit.

A long ball booted aimlessly forward caught the wind and skidded off the head of the first defender and bounced through the legs of the second. A coming together of bodies provided an opportunity for a Warden attacker to get a toe to the bouncing ball that deflected off the Royal goalkeeper's arm, floated up into the wind, and ended in the net.

The week's results left Royal with 6-3 record.