Wahluke Soccer on to Final Four
SUMNER — Enjoying their return to the state high school soccer tournament after a 6-year absence, the Wahluke Warriors have advanced to the final four.
The team that finished third to Connell and Royal in the SCAC East and was runner-up in the district championship match, has a shot at being No. 1 in the state. The Eagles fell out in the second round of state tournament; the Knights in the first round.
Wahluke’s last trip to the big stage, in 2011, produced the school’s fifth state championship. DeVictoria believes this team is capable of securing a sixth title.
The state tournament will conclude this weekend at Sumner. The Warriors matchup with Cascade in the semifinal round at 2 p.m. Friday.
Win or lose, Wahluke will play at 10 a.m. for third place, or at 3 p.m. in the championship game.
A focused group of young men, the Warriors produced their two biggest wins of the season; a 3-2 victory over Chelan in Round 1 of the big dance May 16 in Mattawa, and a 2-0 shutout in Round 2 over Seattle Academy on the road at Sammamish May 19. Their defense was stellar, and so was their college-bound star forward Manny Hidalgo. He was involved in all five goals.
“He’s just a great player,” DeVictoria said. “But this team has a lot of great players.”
The first goal against Chelan, in the 25th minute, was masterful. Hidalgo fired a hard shot that ricocheted off of a defender and came back to him. He then centered the ball, and Tony Espindola scissor kicked it to the right side of the goal.
Chelan answered back and the score was tied 1-1 at intermission.
In the 64th minute, Hidalgo scored off of an assist from Espindola and Wahluke regained the lead, 2-1.
Chelan tied the score 2-all, in the 72nd minute. Then Hidalgo added the third Warrior goal in the 78th minute off of an assist from Josue Gatica. Gaining the ball, Gatica attacked the middle of the Goats defense. Seizing an opportunity, he fired to Hidalgo on the left who executed a touch and bounced ball off a defender and chipped it over him and into the goal.
The Wahluke defense was tough all over the field. Keeper Ulysess Gonzalez came up big with six saves.
In Friday’s match against Seattle Academy, Gonzalez had to be on his toes throughout the contest. The Cardinals were continually on the attack and the Warrior keeper had his hands full, rejecting 15 shots on frame.
“Most of the shots were from 30 yards or more and that gave Ulysess time to react,” DeVictoria said. “Only a couple came from inside the box.”
The team was weary when the bus arrived at 5:30 for the 6 p.m. contest. I-90 traffic slowdowns kept the Warriors on the big yellow longer than planned and Wahluke only got a half-hour warm-up period.
“We were welcomed by 50 to 75 fans who made us feel quite welcome and supported,” DeVictoria said. “They never stopped chanting and cheering for our team; it was amazing.”
The Academy outshot Wahluke 6-4 in the first half, but the Warrior defense held for a 0-0-halftime tie. The Cardinals continued to outshoot Wahluke in the second half, but only the Warriors scored.
Hidalgo recorded the first goal off of an assist from William Dominguez in the 52nd minute. The play started with a steal by Ricky Cabrera of an Academy throw-in. Cabrera centered the ball to Dominguez who found Hidalgo in a better position, and he delivered the goal through the keeper’s legs.
Desperate to get on the board with about six minutes left, the Cardinals pulled their keeper out of the goal to join the attack. That led to an Academy free kick from about midfield, which ended at Dominguez’s feet.
Dominguez then fired a touch pass to Hidalgo, who executed a fast break from the Wahluke side of midfield. On the dribble, Hidalgo outran a defender and the keeper, who was marking him to the goal.
Hidalgo faked left, then shot to the right side of the goal for the Warriors second score of the fuss. The play broke Seattle Academy’s heart and sent Wahluke to the Final Four in Sumner.