Wahluke takes 3-2 overtime soccer win against Royal

MATTAWA - Wahluke High continued its quest for the top of the SCAC East soccer standings with a 3-2 overtime win over Royal that was as tough as could be.

"I have a lot of respect for Royal," Wahluke coach Arthur DeVictoria said. "They are really tough. I'm sure they'll be in the playoffs."

"It was our last home game," DeVictoria added. "Our seniors were very emotional."

The Warriors won with a golden goal, which in other sports means sudden death overtime.

The outcome left Wahluke with a 4-1 SCAC East Record. Royal dropped to 4-2, and Connell was at the top at 5-1.

The Warriors have everything lined up perfectly for a run at the league title. But they'll have to be road warriors to do it.

Today they play at Warden, Thursday they go to Kiona-Benton, and next Tuesday they'll visit Connell for a game that will likely decide everything.

The game with Royal was a story of two halves and wind. The Knights had a light breeze at their backs, and it increased in velocity as they drove to a 2-0 half-time lead. It was blowing hard by the time the teams switched, and Wahluke had an advantage after intermission.

The game was hard-fought but clean all of the way. Royal started the scoring in the 10th minute, when Jose Medina made a goal unassisted. The second Knight score came from Marco Soto assisted by Cesar Bernal and Michael Rojas at 25:21.

Wahluke attacked with a different attitude in the second half and scored almost immediately. At 41:52, Hermilo Catalpa deposited an assist from Angel Cruz.

At 56:07, Luis Vaca scored after a free kick by Emmanuel Hidalgo from the left side. Royal cleared the ball, but it went to Faustino Dominguez in front of the goal, who passed to Vaca for the score.

Wahluke kept the pressure up, but Royal's defense held against the onslaught and the wind.

Wahluke appeared to be the stronger team as regulation ended. Royal hoped to stem the tide by taking the wind again in the overtime, and it nearly worked. The Knights got the first shot of the extra session.

Wahluke score at 84:59 on a Tony Espindola goal assisted by Hidalgo. The defense started the play by getting control of the ball and advancing it to Hidalgo.

Hidalgo broke down a Royal defender and, when confronted by a second, he touch passed to Espindola who was running beside him toward the goal.

For the game, Royal took 12 shots on goal. Wahluke had only six. The difference was 10 saves by Wahluke keeper Ulysses Gonzalez. Jose Medina of Royal had four.