Wolverines add SRV wins over Emmett and Ambrose

 Welcoming Emmett back into the SRV fold after the realignment of Idaho high school classifications in 2023, Weiser’s Wolverine boys varsity soccer team moved their season record to 1-2 with a 2-0 win over the Huskies at home on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

 The Wolverines took 16 direct kicks to the Huskies seven during the game, with Weiser’s first goal landing midway through the first half  when midfielder Santi Perez (9) moved in from the right, while the keeper was positioned just left of center in the goal box. Perez’s kick sent the ball into the right side of the net, out of the goalie’s reach, putting Weiser up 1-0.

 Weiser kept up their offensive pressure, with Emmett’s keeper Brayden Stevens recording seven saves during the 80 minute showdown. The Wolverines loaded up on defense, holding the Huskies out of striking range, and Weiser goalie Gabe McGlaughlin made three saves. 

 Well into the second half, Weiser forward Carlos Garcia (7) was fouled outside on the right. Chipping the ball over the crowd in front of the box, its trajectory went down off of the crossbar where Dauge McClellan (15) was there to toe it into the back of the net, taking Weiser to the 2-0 lead and win.

 “It was a great teamwork game,” coach Kathy Bokides said. “A lot of times someone will ask who was the player of the game, but they all were. It was a team effort, and that direct kick with Dauge following it in. Pretty cool. Jai (Cervantes) played defense, very strong back there, not his favorite position, but it was awesome.”

 “Honestly, at the end, you’ve just gotta stay calm, through the whole game, just stay calm,” Garcia said. “Don’t stress out too much on a bad play, because later on in the game you can fix that. At the end I knew we had to play down in the corner, because that’s what we always practice on. Everyone played very well.”

 “This was our first win of the season,” S. Perez said. “I got a beautiful pass from Coco (Matthew Perez) in the beginning. We kind of slowed it down, but they got upset at the end.”

 “We played really well,” McClellan said. “We hustled hard and played better than in our other games, and what a pass from Carlos, hitting the crossbar.”

 In earlier action, Weiser’s JV defeated Emmett 6-0. Scoring for the Wolverines: Alex Garcia, 2; Everett Terry, 2; Alexis Ramirez, 1; and Edgar Olivos, 1.

Weiser 3, Ambrose 0

 One good win deserves another, and the Wolverines hit the field Thursday afternoon, Sept. 5, earning a 3-0 victory in a varsity-only match against the visiting Ambrose School Archers.

 Wolverine forward Carlos Garcia (7) netted Weiser’s first goal early in the first half, with a fast dribble and hard kick that sent the ball flying into the back of the net.

 The Wolverines played a big offensive game, putting up a total of 20 shots on goal during the 80 minutes on the field, with many going just over the crossbar, or glancing away on a post. And, Weiser’s defense turned the ball back, over and over, to keep the Wolverines in control of the game.

 In the second half, Wolverine Matthew “Coco” Perez (5) scored from a penalty kick on the left that simply sailed over the Archers keeper, going high inside the box and sliding down the net into the right corner.

 On Weiser’s next attack, S. Perez (9) carried the ball in on the right side, booting it through for the Wolverine third and final score. Each goal was met with a full team celebration.

 Giving credit to J. Cervantes (6) for once again moving to defense, head coach Kathy Bokides said, “Good job, you guys. Sometimes you have to do what’s best for your team to hold a win or a tie, whatever. You guys are so good, and can play any position.

 “This was a really good game, but here’s the downside, injuries and dribbling,” Bokides said. “This team let you dribble, so sometimes it’s hard to break the habit. We’re going to have to get back to passing in our next practice, because in the games coming up, those teams aren’t going to let you do that.

 “Jackson (Laird) you had an incredible game,” she added.” Everybody did, but you were incredible back there. You stopped it with your head, you used your chest, you used your foot, and you were always there.”

 Bokides told the Signal American the team has worked extremely hard over the past week, working on passing, shooting.

 “They just shoot and shoot and shoot,” she said. “They’re happy and enthused.”

 “The game was excellent,” senior midfielder Brandon Munoz said. “I feel we played strong, not only in the midfield, but the defense, as well. They were a very strong unit. Our forwards were very tactical. We’ve got Santi, one of our strikers that scored, and not only him, Carlos Garcia, and Coco Perez, a midfielder, actually, scoring with a free kick.”

 “We definitely played better,” Cervantes said. “We’re passing, playing more like a team. A lot more communication and keeping our heads up, even if someone makes a mistake.”

 “We had a lot of shots all game, we were overwhelming them, and they really weren’t ready for us,” S. Perez said. “As a team, collectively, we played really good.”