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VC Weathers Storm, Beats Westmont (12/2)
The
Warriors, fresh off a 3-1 victory over Sacred Heart Prep, welcomed
non-league opponent Westmont on Tuesday night. The game was played
on the Valley Christian football field, under the lights, at 7pm.
This made things interesting with the dew making the field slicker than
normal.
The game started off with both teams trying to adjust to
the fast surface. VC normally plays it's home games on the soccer
field, but since there are no lights there, that was not an option.
The game was fast, very fast, and players on both teams were forced to
slow down their passes a bit.
The first half was sloppy, and the teams entered the
locker room locked in a 0-0 tie.
The second half got started with a bang. Westmont,
just two minutes into the half, started the scoring. A turnover in
the back led to the Westmont forward dribbling in alone on Austin
Mansker. There was not much to do as he slotted the ball past
Austin and into the net, 1-0 Westmont.
What happened next was something that coach John Basanese has been
begging for the past few years, the team's heart showed.
"That's one of those moments, you know? We're losing a game that
we know we need to win. How are we going to respond?," Basanese
said.
They responded with one player, Trevor Plug. The senior forward
went on to bury three goals in the final 20 minutes of the game, leaving
Basanese proud, but not surprised.
"Trevor has the talent to have games like this. This is what I've
expected from him this season, and he came up big for us tonight.
I would like to see more of this from him," Basanese said.
The final goal came with 5 minutes left as Trevor dribbled through 5 or
6 Westmont players before chipping the goalkeeper to complete the
hat-trick. Moments later, Trevor was removed to a nice ovation
from the fans.
Video of goal #1
Video of goal #2
Video of goal #3
The game ended 3-1, with VC gritting out a tough game, against a very
good team.
"I was impressed with Westmont. I knew they'd be organized, their
coach is a friend of mine. They definitely were, but they were
more athletic than I expected. Westmont should be great this year,
and I wish them all the best. That was a hard fought game,"
Basanese concluded.
The Warriors have almost no rest with another match against Piedmont
Hills on Thursday at Piedmont.
A four minute
highlight video from the game can be downloaded here.
Note: The file is LARGE so be patient.
VCSoccer.com Man of the Match: Trevor
Plug (3 goals)
| Westmont |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| Valley Christian |
0 |
3 |
3 |
Scoring Summary:
Trevor Plug 60' (Britt Nelson)
Trevor Plug 72' (Joseph Rosa-Diniz)
Trevor Plug 76' (Joseph Rosa-Diniz)
VC Starting Lineup: Mansker, Joseph, Berding,
Gizzi, Hittler, Tarangioli, Cordeiro, Rosa-Diniz, Nelson, de Leon, Plug
Game time: 7pm
Weather: Clear sky, chilly. |
