For the week of September 10 - 16, 2003

Goals pile up for
Wood River boys

Wolverines fire up the offense

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With two games in the books, Wood River High boys’ varsity soccer coach Brian Daluiso liked what he saw last week on the Hailey field.

Maicol Corrales (7 goals in 3 games) punches home a score for the Wood River High boys during their 5-2 victory over Mountain Home Thursday. Express photo by David N. Seelig

The highly-regarded Wolverines came away with a 4-4 non-league tie against Twin Falls Tuesday, then Wood River posted its first win 5-2 Thursday over Mountain Home.

Daluiso said, "Our defense is brand new and we gave up some goals in bunches because of breakdowns and bad decisions. And we had finishing problems. But we dominated the ball. And physically it wasn’t a match with either team. I’m really excited."

Offensively, Wood River (2-0-1, 1-0 league) was almost too juiced up and ready to go—overshooting often and missing many easy chances to score.

Scoring nine goals in its first two games can’t be disregarded, however, especially for a Wood River program that always plays it close to the vest.

Before the season, Daluiso said his midfield and forwards would perhaps be the strongest Hailey has ever had. They certainly looked that way against Twin and Mountain Home.

Chase Cleveland, WR midfielder, looks for the pass. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Last Tuesday in the opener against Twin Falls, Wood River had some serious nerves in the opening minutes and fell behind 2-0. Last year’s leading scorer Maicol Corrales made it 2-1, then Wood River’s other striker Shane Cordeau tied the game 2-2.

Corrales chipped a shot in the net for a 3-2 Wolverine lead seven minutes into the second half, but Twin Falls reassembled and punched in two goals in a one-minute span for a 4-3 lead with 12 minutes to play.

The situation seemed dire for Wood River until lightning-quick K.C. Rivera charged down the middle and drew a foul. Chase Cleveland teed up the direct kick. Byron Epp chased the ball down and left-footed the equalizer with only four minutes left.

Andy Weigel (2), Scott Thompson and Chad Haszier scored for Twin Falls. Daluiso was convinced that the final Twin Falls goal by Weigel was offsides, but the non-ruling didn’t dampen his enthusiasm.

"I really liked what I saw. We owned the second half. I think Twin Falls had two shots and they scored on each one," the Hailey coach said.

Willie Meyers showed lots of hustle at stopper for Wood River and got help from fellow defenders Matt Hansen (sweeper), Slater Storey (right back) and Sagen Howard (left back) in front of keeper Kristian Timmons.

After the Twin Falls game, Daluiso said Wood River was determined to get back to practice and work on its one-on-ones and "finishing." And they did finish against Mountain Home.

Tate Mills follows the ball up the field in the Mountain Home victory. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Corrales and co-captain Rivera erased an early 1-0 Tiger lead and put Wood River ahead 2-1 at half. Meyers collected a loose ball and banged a 40-yard floater into the net for a 3-1 lead 18 minutes into the second half.

Mountain Home didn’t go away. The Tigers made it 3-2, but Wood River answered with an intuitive lead pass by Cleveland that caught up with hard-charging Tate Mills to the left of the keeper. Mills cranked out a twister that mystified the Tiger keeper—and Corrales cleaned up for a 4-2 lead.

Wood River wasn’t finished. Co-captain Hansen started a play from the rear that went to Ted Dankanyin and finally ended up with Cordeau, who was understandably pulled down. Cordeau made penalty, 5-2 Hailey.

The two Tiger goals were still a sore spot with Daluiso. "We’ll have to tighten up the defense," he said.

Wood River (18 goals in 3 games) tightened it up Monday with a 9-0 trouncing of Wendell (0-1). Corrales scored three goals and Cordeau two. Singles were by Cleveland, Epp, Mills (penalty) and Michael Conner.

Also on Monday, the Wolverine JV took care of The Community School 10-0.

After today’s grudge match against The Community School at Elkhorn, Wood River hosts Capital of Boise Saturday, Sept. 13 (JV 11 a.m., varsity afterwards) and goes to Pocatello for a match against Century’s Diamondbacks Monday.

 

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