Wahluke wins, 2-0

MATTAWA - Wahluke scored twice in the first half to defeat Mabton, 2-0, in the first round of the SCAC playoffs last Saturday and roll into today's semifinals.

The Warriors (14-3) will travel to SCAC league co-champion Granger (14-2). It is a toss-up contest, but the Warriors have a lot of post-season experience, including five state championships.

Wahluke proved the equal of Granger and co-champ Highland during the season, splitting with both. The Warriors had Granger down, 1-0, at Granger before giving up two second-half goals.

If the Warriors win today, they will play at Royal Thursday against Highland (14-2) or Royal (11-6) for first place. If they lose today, they will play one of those two Thursday at Royal for third. The top 3 advance to state.

Saturday's game was played amid sadness for the Warriors. Geir Dalan, an assistant coach in boys and girls soccer for seven years, died on Friday.

"We released white balloons before the game in his honor," coach Arthur DeVictoria said.

Although the score made it seem so, this was not a close contest. Wahluke pressured the goal throughout with 25 shots. Mabton, with eight shots, hardly pressured at all. Only four Alan Caro saves were required.

"We played very well," DeVictoria said. "I was happy with our style of play."

Both of the goals were scored by SCAC first team forward Ramon Bravo. He was assisted by Alexis Anaya on the first and by Juan Estrada on the second.