JV BOYS SOCCER SHOWS PROMISE,
KNOCKS OUT FIRST WCAL VICTORY
By Steven Giordano
The new year of 2005 is
well under way and the soccer season is hitting its stride. Lead
by sophomore captains Ryan Favre and Kegan Garrison and with a
near .500 record heading toward the end of the season, the junior
varsity boys soccer team is ready to win out the rest of their
matches.
The league season may have gotten off on the wrong foot, so to
speak, as three separate ankle injuries plagued the starting lineup.
Midfielders David Yun and Jordan Pereira and defender Kyle Rosa
were all absent for the beginning of the WCAL season; all three
have returned to the lineup. The impending loss to the St. Francis
Lancers in the opener of league play was 3-1. The slick surface
and blinding sun made it a tough game from the start.
Much excitement has surrounded this team as they recorded their
first win in West Catholic Athletic League competition. This came
at the merciless play from the Warriors against the Fightin’
Irish of Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco. A home game
for Valley Christian, the loyal fans were there doing their part
(quote). Ready to fight back against the Irish, the VC guys came
out with energy and determination. The connection from Favre to
John Walitsch to the back of the net gave the Warriors a 1-0 lead
in the early going. With a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Warriors
came out with even more energy. Sealing the deal for the victory
against Sacred Heart Cathedral was Garrison’s goal off of
a free kick in the 71st minute. The ball was very rarely on the
Warriors’ defensive end giving their goalie, Theo Matheou,
very little to deal with. VC blanked their first victim 5-0. Coach
Terry McElhatton was very proud of his team following the very
impressive performance.
The team “endures” practicing every day after school,
and even on during the Christmas break. The JV boys’ soccer
team has become, as a result, a very fit, competitive team. Garrison,
on the season so far, commented, “We haven’t done
that good, but we’ve done better than any other JV team
[at Valley Christian].” The end of the 2004-2005 winter
season looks to be thrilling for the Warriors.
