Regular season ends with 2-1 loss to Fruitland

Weiser’s last regular season soccer game was against Fruitland at home on Thursday, Oct. 4. It was a hard fought, wet, muddy battle with Fruitland beating Weiser 2-1. 

 It was also senior night, with seniors Sergio Orosco, Cristoval Alvarez, Joel Juarez, and Brenden Barbot being honored before the game.

 The first half of the game saw play mostly on Weiser’s side of the field, although Weiser did manage to take a few shots at the Grizzly goal. 

 Grizzly Oswaldo Espinoza finally made a shot that managed to get past goalie Gabe Rasmussen and defender Marcos Tarelo. The first point of the game went on the board at 28 minutes in.

 After that, play went a little more back and forth, with Weiser taking a couple of more shots that either went over the goal or were saved by Fruitland’s goalie. 

 With only 1 minute left in the first half, Fruitland’s Espinoza was able to take one last shot that went just over Rasmussen’s reach, bringing the score to 2-0 Fruitland at the close of the first half.

 Weiser came out aggressively for the second half, with play mostly being on Fruitland’s side of the field. Weiser’s offense made at least 7 shots at the Fruitland net during the second half. Most of the shots were made from farther out in the field, giving the Fruitland goalie time to stop them. 

 But at the 29 minute mark, after a series of short passes, Weiser got the ball right in front of the Fruitland goal. In the mess of bodies, Weiser’s Nathan Turner was able to get his foot on the ball and send it into the back of the net. This brought the score to 2-1, Fruitland. 

 Weiser’s offense kept up the pressure the rest of the game, but wasn’t able to sink another goal.

 Rasmussen was credited with 9 saves for the game. 

 Coach Kathy Bokides was very pleased with the play, “This was one of the best games this season. They held their composure and played together.”

 The Wolverines end regular season play with an overall record of 5-9-2, and a conference record of 5-5-2. 

 This week will have Weiser playing in Fruitland on Tuesday in SRV districts. It is a single elimination tournament. If Weiser wins the game on Tuesday, then they will play again on Thursday for the District Championship title.  

 Senior Cristoval Alvarez is looking forward to the coming week. “I feel like the slate is clean. We’ve learned from our mistakes. Time for districts.”