Above: Junior Jordan Pereira celebrates his goal that put the Warriors up 2-0.

VC Overcomes Tough Weather Conditions in Victory over SHC. 12/9

Despite the worst storm of the winter so far, the Valley Christian boys soccer team posted an impressive 2-0 victory over the visiting Sacred Heart Cathedral Irish.  The field was in great shape for the match, but the wind had a definite impact.

The game started off one sided in favor of VC.  Several great opportunities forced saves by the SHC goalkeeper.

In the 9th minute, Kegan Garrison was fouled hard inside the Warriors penalty box.  The ref blew the whistle, and looked to be pointing to the spot for a penalty kick.  He quickly changed his mind, however, and awarded a direct free kick at the top of the box.  Jake Joseph took the kick and sent it just over the crossbar.

The first half would be much of the same, but the Warriors were unable to secure the opening goal.  At halftime, the score was 0-0.

After a brief chat in the locker room, the teams headed back out on the field for the second half.  The half would start off with more of the same.  Austin Mansker made some solid saves, four total, to keep the Warriors and Irish tied. 

In the 55th minute, the game would change.

After the Warriors won a free kick about 30 yards out, the captains hooked up for the opening goal.  Nathan Goldsmith played a perfect ball that was won by Ross Mark, despite strong challenges from the goalie and defender.  The ball trickled into the net, goal Valley Christian.

Coach Basanese had this to say about the goal.

"Nathan had been playing great free kicks all day, and we'd just been getting unlucky.  Ross did a great job in getting up, just like we ask him to.  A good finish, and a great cross.  Obviously, for us that was the turning point of the game."

After several more clear cut goal opportunities, the Warriors finally broke through again in the 77th minute.

Freshman Alex de Leon played a perfect through ball to an onrushing Jordan Pereira.  Jordan expertly finished the breakaway after fending off two defenders. 2-0 Valley Christian.

"That finish was clinical," Basanese said.

The game ended 2-0, and the Warriors remain undefeated in league on the young season.  The team will travel to Bellarmine this Tuesday to take on the always strong Bells.  Check back to the website for updates.

Game Notes:

- For his two shutouts this week, Austin Mansker was named the 'Warrior of the Week' on the Valley Christian Athletics website (new).  Go to www.gowarriors.net to see Austin featured on the right hand side.

Special thanks to Award Winning Photographer John Basanese Sr. for taking photos at the game. 

vcsoccer.com man of the match: Ross Mark (GWG)

Scoring summary:

Mark (Goldsmith)

Pereira (Alex de Leon)

VC Starting Lineup: Mansker, Goldsmith, Seaman, Field, Joseph, Rosa-Diniz, Walitsch, Garrison, Mark, Pereira, Favre

Weather: Gusting wind, minimal rain.

www.vcsoccer.com