Wahluke boys soccer starts strong

MATTAWA — Wahluke got off to a good start last weekend in high school boys soccer, especially when you consider that coach Arthur DeVictoria played his entire lineup in both matches.

“That’s what these non-league games are for, to see what you have,” he said.

Two things Wahluke has for sure are an ever-attacking forward in junior Emanuel Hidalgo and a shot-stopping tender in senior Ulysses Gonzalez.

Hidalgo, who has starred since his freshman year, played like an all-star, scoring all of the Warrior goals in a 2-1 win over Seattle Academy on Friday and 1-1 tie with University Prep of Seattle on Saturday.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, Gonzalez recorded 11 saves against SA and seven against U-Prep.

The next action for the Warriors will be today at 4 p.m., when they host Granger. Thursday at 4 p.m. they will host Royal, and Chelan will visit at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“They’re all tough, DeVictoria said. “We have the toughest league in the state. Highland was state champs last year.”

Wahluke scored early in both games. Hidalgo scored a “garbage” goal in the 14th minute. A loose ball caromed off of several players in front of the goal before Hidalgo booted it in.

SA tied the scored shortly after on a penalty kick. Then Hidalgo went back to work. He caught a through ball (not intended for him) and drilled a shot from the right side.

In the match with G-Prep, Wahluke scored after bringing steady and furious pressure on the goal at the start. In the 9th minute, senior Brandon Anaya found Hidalgo with a pass, and Hidalgo found the netting with the ball.

“Our defense was solid in both games,” DeVictoria said. “We were able to move people around, and they were able to adapt.”

The SCAC East will be the same as last year – Wahluke, Royal, Warden, Connell and Kiona-Benton. The top threee will go to district. The top two there will go to state.