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Soccer seeks reversal of early fortune
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| Ivan Hernandez came up just short in this scoring opportunity against St. Gregory. (DAVE BROWN/ARN) |
By Ainslee S. Wittig/Arizona range News
The three-time defending league champion WHS Soccer varsity will do the chasing instead of the leading after a season opening 4-1 loss to the St. Gregory Hawks last Tuesday.
"I feel like the kids played a good game. There were a few miscues and it seemed like every mistake we made turned into a goal (for the other team). But it's all stuff we can fix," said coach Patrick Macumber.
All the scoring came in the first half and St Gregory led 4-0 before Francisco Valdez answered for Willcox with their single goal late in the first half.
"Francisco is a good forward - he's really grown as a player over the last year," said the coach.
The Hawks joined the South league for the first time this year, and as a perennial play-off contender formerly for the Metro league, they have already established themselves as a team to catch for this year's South title.
"I think we were competitive in the game and if we can hang in there with St. Gregory - and I feel like we did - it gives us a strong chance with any tough team."
The Cowboys shut down the Hawks in the second half as the coach cited Cole George, the defensive sweeper who settled down after a disputed handball call against him led to the Hawks first goal on a penalty kick.
"Cole played his position perfectly. He got all the balls that came in his direction out of there," said Macumber. Also, he said "despite his inexperience, one of our first-year players, junior Anthony Quezada, really hustled and started a big play for us. He made a long pass to Skylar (Stoddard), who passed it to Francisco for the goal. Anthony was an unexpected and good addition for us this year."
Willcox looks to bounce back with a trip to Tucson's Alta Vista today at 4 p.m. to visit starting defender Junior Leyva's former team.
"They have talent, (falling only 6-1 to St. Gregory) so we'll have to come out playing," Macumber added.
"I feel like the kids played a good game. There were a few miscues and it seemed like every mistake we made turned into a goal (for the other team). But it's all stuff we can fix," said coach Patrick Macumber.
All the scoring came in the first half and St Gregory led 4-0 before Francisco Valdez answered for Willcox with their single goal late in the first half.
"Francisco is a good forward - he's really grown as a player over the last year," said the coach.
The Hawks joined the South league for the first time this year, and as a perennial play-off contender formerly for the Metro league, they have already established themselves as a team to catch for this year's South title.
"I think we were competitive in the game and if we can hang in there with St. Gregory - and I feel like we did - it gives us a strong chance with any tough team."
The Cowboys shut down the Hawks in the second half as the coach cited Cole George, the defensive sweeper who settled down after a disputed handball call against him led to the Hawks first goal on a penalty kick.
"Cole played his position perfectly. He got all the balls that came in his direction out of there," said Macumber. Also, he said "despite his inexperience, one of our first-year players, junior Anthony Quezada, really hustled and started a big play for us. He made a long pass to Skylar (Stoddard), who passed it to Francisco for the goal. Anthony was an unexpected and good addition for us this year."
Willcox looks to bounce back with a trip to Tucson's Alta Vista today at 4 p.m. to visit starting defender Junior Leyva's former team.
"They have talent, (falling only 6-1 to St. Gregory) so we'll have to come out playing," Macumber added.
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| Willcox Football |
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