Wolverines in hunt for state berth


Weiser’s boys varsity Wolverines soccer team ended regular season play on Thursday, Oct. 10, starting off with a Senior Night celebration and finishing the match tied 4-4 with SRV first-seed Parma. Above, Jai Cervantes (6) passing the ball up in the second half of Thursday’s game. Weiser earned a 2-1 win over Fruitland in the first round of district play on Saturday, Oct. 12. Watch the Signal American for continued coverage. Photo by Nancy Grindstaff
By: 
Nancy Grindstaff
The final week of SRV high school boys’ regular season play ended with the Wolverines taking a 4-1 loss to conference fourth seed Fruitland on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and tying 4-4 with first-seed Parma at home on Thursday, Oct. 10.
 To cap off the week, the Wolverines entered the first round of District 3 4A play in fifth seed, meeting Fruitland at their house on Saturday, Oct. 12. After a frustrating loss to the Grizzlies on Tuesday, the Wolverines took the game to them, earning a 2-1 win and another chance at a district title.
 Weiser scored first on an early corner kick. Carlos Garcia Lopez got the credit for the goal after an own-goal by Fruitland’s defense, with Weiser holding onto the 1-0 lead at the half. The Grizzlies came back and scored on a penalty kick to tie the game, but shortly after, Garcia Lopez nailed a direct kick to put Weiser into the 2-1 lead and win.
 “Everyone played an outstanding game,” coach Kathy Bokides reported.
 A team captain, Matt Perez described it as a great game.
 “The team played well, and we beat Fruitland,” Perez said. “This is our road to state and we intend to get there, one game at a time. I want to thank God and I’m extremely proud of the boys. I want to thank the fans for their support, it helps us out like you have no idea. 
 “Tuesday’s game is ours, we’re prepared for Parma,” he added, referring to the match scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15, against the first-seed Panthers.
 Leading up to the tournament’s start, Weiser celebrated Senior Night on Thursday. The 11 varsity players receiving recognition were: Jai Cervantes, Matthew Perez, Santi Perez, Brandon Juarez, Brandon Munoz, Luke Brunson, Dauge McClellan, David Hernandez, Carlos Garcia Lopez, Mickel Valdez Silva, and Yahir Valdivia.
 A majority of this group of seniors has played soccer together from their earliest experiences in Weiser’s recreation programs, as well as having played competitively a season or two under the direction of their high school coach Bokides during their late elementary school years. The bonds between them run deep and it shows in both the huddle and on the field.
 In Tuesday’s matchup, Fruitland was ready to meet the Wolverines after taking a 3-2 loss to Weiser back in September. Fruitland put three goals on the board before the end of the first half, while the Wolverines took six shots on goal during the period without getting one to score.
 In the second half, Santi Perez (9) scored one off of a pass from Julio Hernandez (11). The Grizzlies scored one more, as well, ending the game 4-1 in their favor. Wolverine goalkeeper David Hernandez recorded 13 saves against the Grizzlies.
 Weiser took charge early on in Thursday’s action with back to back scores on the Wolverines second and third shots on goal. The first one was scored after Juarez (3) received a corner kick from Garcia Lopez (7), and with a quick pass to McClellan (15) whose no-hesitation kick went in the goal, and Weiser was on the board. Cervantes (6) sent the next strike from outside the 18-yard line past Parma’s keeper off of a pass from Brunson (8) to put Weiser up 2-0. Weiser took 13 shots in the first half alone.
 Before the half was over, Parma answered with three goals, taking a 3-2 lead going into the second 40 minutes. The Panthers scored another in the second, but the Wolverines continued to attack, taking another 15 shots in the half. They hit paydirt later in the half when Cervantes sent the ball to S. Perez for a goal to narrow the score to 4-3.
 With less than five minutes to go, the Wolverines poured on a full court press. S. Perez (9) sent the ball over to Garcia Lopez (7) on the right, who crossed it past the goalie into the opposite corner pocket, locking the score into a 4-4 tie. Weiser took one more shot on goal before the final whistle blew. Hernandez saved 13 shots against the Panthers.
 A win Tuesday will secure a trip to the state 4A tournament, with the first and second place district championship scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17, at the site of the high seed team.
 

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