Showdown turns into 4-1 WRHS rout
Boys’ soccer rivalry
By JEFF CORDES
Express Sports Editor
Ever since Wood River High School and The Community School each won
boys’ state soccer championships in separate divisions last October, the two Blaine
County schools have been pointing to a showdown of defending champions.
Making the emotional 18-year soccer rivalry between the schools more
dramatic this fall has been the fact that they’ve been placed in the same division in
2000. That means they’ll be competing for the same state championship in October.
The big question Tuesday at South Valley Sports Complex in Hailey
was—which team is better in 2000?
The answer was Wood River (5-0), with a dominating 4-1 win in the first of
two league meetings between the squads. It’s been over a year since Wood River,
unbeaten in its last 18 contests, has lost a game.
Senior striker Jason Southward, virtually unstoppable in the open field,
scored three goals including two in the second half when Wood River extended its 1-0
half-time lead and turned a close game into a rout.
Already the school’s all-time leading scorer, Southward (51 goals in
three years) has 17 goals in just five games. He’s within striking distance of the
seemingly untouchable Wood River single-season goal scoring record of 36, set by Brad
Jaques in 21 games in 1987.
Wood River, outshooting the Cutthroats 23-11 over 80 minutes, exploded for
three goals in the first 13 minutes of the second half. After a blistering Southward shot
found net at the 18-yard-line, Mike Spaulding kicked the third Wolverine goal, on a
Southward assist.
Right back Levi McGonigal made the pass on Southward’s third goal, 13
minutes into the second half for a 4-0 lead. Midfielder Vince Nagashima had assisted on
Southward’s first goal 14 minutes into the game. Alex McCoy’s penalty kick for
the Cutthroats (1-2) averted the shutout with five minutes left.
Wood River coach Brian Daluiso said afterwards, "After all the talk
before the game, we answered the questions out on the field. The first half was
anybody’s game, but we came out and dominated the second half. We worked as a
team."
Daluiso, appreciative of Wood River’s edge in quickness, praised his
defense of stopper Will McNeal, left back Kyle Risner, right back McGonigal and sweeper
Alfredo Ojeda. Senior midfielder Jess Kiesel played well, he said.
Wood River remains unbeaten in its last 15 games against The Community
School, dating back to 1993. In that span the Wolverines have a 13-0-2 record and 39-12
scoring advantage over the Cutthroats. The 18-year, 40-game rivalry now favors Wood River
25-12-3.
