Royal nips Wahluke in early season match up

ROYAL CITY - Except for the officiating, there was a good high school soccer match between Royal and Wahluke last Thursday, won by Royal, 2-1, on the Royal field.

"Being an early season match there were a handful of sloppy fouls committed on both sides of the ball, and a number of cards were shown," Royal coach Jens Jensen said.

Wahluke coach Arthur DeVictoria commented in a stronger manner, doubting some of the calls.

One player from each team was ejected.

"Hopefully those things will get cleaned up as we make our way through the year," Jensen said.

DeVictoria thought both teams played an aggressive, tough game. Royal cashed in on a couple of big Wahluke mistakes, he said.

"We played really well, but we didn't get the reward for playing really well," DeVictoria said. "I told my guys they played with great heart and great passion."

This was the first SCAC East match of the year for both teams. DeVictoria doesn't believe the loss hurt his team's chances down the road. Every SCAC East team must play the others twice.

Jensen saw some things he didn't like but, overall, was happy with the performance of his boys.

"We scored two goals that showcased what our team can do," he said. "The first goal showed the pace that we have in attack, and the second showed the one-touch combination play we are capable of."

Royal scored the first two goals and led, 2-0, until just before half-time.

The first goal came in the eighth minute when Jose Medina cashed in an assist by Jose Ponce. In the 10th minute, Cesar Bernal scored off a double assist by Medina and Danny Cuevas.

In the 39th minute, Wahluke got a penalty kick goal from Emanuel Hidalgo when a foul was called against Royal. Then the defenses took over.

Both teams were held to four shots in the second half. For the game, Ulysses Gonzalez of Wahluke recorded four saves. Jose Jimenez of Royal had one.

Wahluke had a home non-league game yesterday with Cashmere. The Warriors will host LaSalle today at 4 p.m. in another non-leaguer. They will face Warden at home Thursday at 4 p.m. in a SCAC East contest.