Emporia High’s boys soccer team slipped, slid and battled through Thursday’s mud and sog to win its home opener and notch the team second straight shutout.
Adam Sanchez scored two goals and Alex Guevara netted his eighth goal in the last three games to support tight Spartan defense and give Emporia a 3-0 win over Wichita Northwest at TRYSA.
The play of that defense, which coach Angel Cornejo was obviously concerned about both before and after Emporia’s season-opening loss to Maize, may become the story of the Spartans’ season if it keeps performing like it has the last three games. After falling to Maize 8-1 at last week’s Titan Classic, EHS has given up three goals, zero and zero in the three games since, and won all three.
After Thursday’s win, Cornejo had plenty of praise to dish out for his team’s goal-prevention skills.
“Defense was outstanding,” Cornejo said. “Everyone stepped up. Gary (Rivera) was outstanding, (Brian) Tabares — our seniors and leaders. I’m really proud of our sophomores, Blaze (Witten) and Alejandro (Sandoval) — they were amazing.”
The steady rain, which tapered off in the second half, and the wet field led to plenty of pairs of muddy shorts, and much of the fouls and physical play were likely an unintentional byproduct of shaky footing.
Sanchez got hold of a loose ball and gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute of the first half. Ryan Dorsey, kicking from near midfield, attempted to deliver the ball to Guevara, but it glanced off a Northwest defender. Sanchez charged on it and knocked it past goalkeeper Jonathan Drake.
Guevara’s goal came off a long pass from Gary Rivera. Turned away from the opposing goal, Guevara used his right foot to knock the ball ahead of him, then appeared to stumble on the wet ground as he ran toward it. He got enough on the kick to ground it past Drake inside the far post.
Sandoval and Spartan goalkeeper Cory Obermeyer combined for two strong defensive plays right at the end of the first half that kept the score 2-0 at intermission. Sandoval slid in to knock the ball away from Grizzlies forward Lalo Luna as he approached the left post; it had appeared as though Luna might be able to turn the corner and get a shot off. On the ensuing corner kick with just over one minute to go in the half, Obermeyer got his hands on a dangerous ball that bounced in front of him and cleared it.
Northwest rarely got a good look at the Spartan goal. Perhaps the Grizzlies’ biggest missed opportunity came in the fourth minute of the second half, when Obermeyer charged after a ball in the box, which was kicked to his right. Seth Theimer bicycle-kicked toward a wide-open right side of the goal but shot it over the crossbar.
Sanchez added his second goal with 2:45 left in the match. A free kick from the right side by Luis Guzman landed in front of the goal, but Drake failed to get his hands on it, and Sanchez finished it off from close range.
“I was in the right place at the right time,” Sanchez said of both goals. “Coach told me I needed to put some goals in there, and I did what he told me to. Everybody worked well, the team has worked well together, the defense (was) outstanding and our midfield’s just terrific.”
The win was the Spartans’ second ever over Wichita Northwest (2-2), the first coming last year. The Grizzlies advanced to the semifinals of last week’s Titan Classic, losing 1-0 to eventual champion Wichita Southeast in double-overtime.
“So that tells me good things about our team,” Cornejo said. “I’m really happy.”
EMPORIA 3, WICHITA NORTHWEST 0
Wichita Northwest 0 0 — 0
Emporia High 0 0 — 0
Goals — EHS: Sanchez 2, Guevara. Assist — EHS: Rivera. Shutout — Oberymeyer.
Warcoach (anonymous) says...
Congratulations to the entire team!! I knew the team still had lots of talent yet to go. This year, all the way to STATE!
Former Coach, Steve Pearson
September 12, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
soccerguru (anonymous) says...
Another great game by the EHS soccer team, I think Cory will keep a good tradition of EHS having great goalkeepers. I watched Cory play in the Emporia Adult Soccer League this past summer and he did a great job there, I think having him play this summer elevated his game. Same goes for Tabarez,Sanchez,Guevara,Rivera,Dorsey,Rijo,Guzman and all the jv players that played this summer.
There is only one route this year and that is STATE.
September 12, 2008 at 8:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )