Showdown today at Connell for Warriors

MATTAWA - The Wahluke High School soccer team will learn today just what it's going to take to get back to the state tournament.

The Warriors have won five titles, but the last one was in 2011. Although they've come close, they haven't returned to state since then.

Today the Warriors will try to capture the SCAC East crown at Connell. Game time will be 4 p.m.

Connell and Wahluke are 6-1 with this final league game looming. The Warriors lost to Royal in their SCAC East opener but then ran off six straight wins, including a 2-0 shutout of Connell at Wahluke. The Warriors are 11-1-2 overall.

Getting back to state is a tough task. It could be a little easier for the Warriors with a win today.

A win would give Wahluke a bye in the first round of district on Saturday. They would start play at home against Naches or Mabton next Tuesday.

A loss today would match the Warriors with Granger or Highland at Wahluke at 11 a.m. this Saturday in the first round. The third round would be played on Thursday of next week with the opponent and location yet to be decided.

"Tuesday night will be a big deal," coach Arthur DeVictoria said. "Connell is a very good team. It's their senior parent night. It's going to be a fight."

"My team's ready for it," DeVictoria added. "We want to get back to state. We feel that's where we belong."

Starting in 1996, Wahluke has played in the state tournament 13 times.

Wahluke won twice last week, but it's tough to tell from those outcomes how ready the Warriors are. They barely nipped Warden, 1-0, at Warden. They had trounced the Cougars in the first meeting, 7-1.

DeVictoria believes his boys showed up disinterested for Warden because of the easy first game. They had only eight shots on goal to eight for the Cougars. Keeper Ulysses Gonzalez was called on for eight saves.

The Warriors established the lead eight minutes into the contest on a 3-player combination. Luis Veloz passed the ball to Emmanuel Hidalgo, who chipped over the keeper and took a shot. Eduardo Valdenea made sure it went in with a tap.

"He was the last to touch the ball. So he gets credit for the goal," DeVictoria said.

At Ki-Be, the Warriors faced a team that continues to struggle in SCAC competition. The Warriors had beaten the Bears, 7-0, earlier. This time DeVictoria had his team work on specific tactics, and that kept the score at 2-0.

Angel Cruz gave the Warriors the lead in the fifth minute off an assist by Hidalgo. In the 68th minute, Brian Prudente scored off a pass by Nelbi Badillo.