For the week of September 17 - 23, 2003

Wood River dominates Cutthroats 5-1

Corrales scores three as
Wolverines snap losing skid

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The green shirts were all around the ball and the final score reflected Wood River’s dominance during Wednesday’s grudge match against The Community School at Sagewillow in Elkhorn.

Wood River’s Shane Cordeau and defender Connor Wade of The Community School (right) battle for possession during the 5-1 Wolverine win last Wednesday at Elkhorn. Express photo by David N. Seelig

 

In the first of two boys’ varsity soccer meetings this season between the 3A powers, Wood River broke up a 1-1 game with four unanswered goals and polished off the Cutthroats 5-1.

Leading Wood River scorer Maicol Corrales (12 goals in 5 games) scored three goals despite playing only 40 minutes. He sat out the second half with a minor injury. Shane Cordeau and Chase Cleveland also scored for Wood River.

Community School coach Richard Whitelaw said, "Wood River has too many horses. You can’t teach speed and they have it."

Wood River coach Brian Daluiso was pleased with his team’s effort. "No complaints. I’m happy. Everybody played well, but Sagen Howard played particularly well on defense, K.C. Rivera was everywhere, and Maicol and Shane made things happen," he said.

Community School goalkeeper Luke Fostvedt (left) was busy all day, coming out to meet Wood River attacks. Shane Cordeau applies pressure here. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Yancy Caldwell tallied the only Cutthroat goal and "Man of the Match" Reed Boeger bolstered a Sun Valley defense that was under siege. The Wolverines outshot the Cutthroats 26-7. Goalkeeper Luke Fostvedt made 20 saves, many spectacular.

Not only did Wood River (3-1-1, 1-0 league, 2-0 road games) snap a two-season, six-game losing streak to The Community School, the Wolverines spoiled a remarkable string of Cutthroat successes on their Browning Field home pitch.

The Cutthroats (2-1-2, 1-0-1 league) suffered their first-ever Browning Field home loss. Since the field debuted in 2001, they had a 20-0 record including 12 shutouts and had outscored visiting teams 138 to 18.

Whitelaw’s Cutthroats had entered the game with six straight wins over Wood River and a 33-6 scoring advantage over the last two years. They had beaten Wood River at Browning Field 7-1, 6-2 and 4-0 the past two years.

But Wood River struck first last Wednesday when Corrales took a wall pass from Cordeau and fired a rocket that deflected into the Cutthroat net only three minutes into the game.

Goalkeeper Fostvedt was busy with a constant Wolverine barrage, making fine saves on a point-blank shot by Tate Mills, a run by Rivera and top corner threat by Corrales.

Byron Epp was a factor with booming crosses and corner kicks during Wood River’s 5-1 win over the Cutthroats. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Then, his teammates snuck one in when Ash Higgins’ long kick from midfield was smashed into the corner by Caldwell. It was Sun Valley’s first shot on goal.

The 1-1 tie lasted only seven minutes until Wood River replied. A lead pass from Mills found its way to Corrales, who sprinted through two Sun Valley defenders, drew Fostvedt out of the net and scored from a tough angle.

Dominating the midfield for Wood River were Rivera and Chase Cleveland. Meanwhile, Byron Epp’s runs down the left wing and strong cross passes added another substantial worry for the Cutthroat defense.

Only a minute remained to halftime when another excellent pass from Mills placed Cordeau behind the defense, and Cordeau chipped a shot over Fostvedt’s head for a 3-1 lead.

Wood River outshot the Cutthroats 16-3 in the first half.

Three minutes after half, Corrales made it 4-1 on a header from Cordeau’s cross pass. Then, Epp’s corner kick was converted by Cleveland on a header to complete the scoring just 11 minutes after intermission.

Sharing the goalkeeping were Tristan Potters (2 saves first half) and Kristian Timmons (7 saves second half). The outstanding Wood River defense was led by sweeper Matt Hansen, stopper Willie Meyers, backs Sagen Howard and Slater Storey.

Corrales was back in action for Wood River Saturday in its home match against a 5A school, Capital. And it was a good thing he was, because Corrales scored goals on passes from Cordeau and Mills giving Wood River a 2-1 lead at the half.

It was a solid first half for Wood River. Daluiso said, "We had some of the best ball movement I’ve seen."

Capital, seeking its first win of the season, had the wind at its backs and built up some momentum after the half. Wood River played the second half without sweeper Hansen, who injured his hip earlier in the game.

Wood River’s defense broke down a couple of times and the home team’s fitness wasn’t the best. Capital (1-2-2) got goals by Chris Tracy and the game-winner by Mark Pacold with six minutes left to prevail 3-2. The first Capital goal in the first half was scored by Mirsad Buljubasic of Yugoslavia.

Capital coach Mike Andeson said, "We had a lot better defense in the second half, which helped us get into our offense.

"It was a good win for us because we’ve had an up-and-down season. We tied Timberline and were up on Bishop Kelly with five minutes to go before they came back to beat us."

Capital, the toughest team Wood River has played, gave the Hailey keepers some serious tests before scoring the winner on a deflection.

Timmons made a point-blank save at the end of the first half. Potters made several excellent saves in the second half—including a great diving stop on a well-aimed Capital line drive at 78 minutes.

Meantime, after its loss to Wood River, The Community School settled for a pair of home 0-0 ties—on Friday against an improved Bliss squad and on Saturday against Minico (0-4-1).

Goalkeeper Fostvedt was "Man of the Match" against Bliss. Although they were missing an offensive threat in John Hayes (ankle) on Saturday, the Cutthroats still outshot Minico 18-8 and missed on a penalty shot. They just had problems finishing.

Nevertheless the Cutthroats with their 0-0 tie against Bliss kept another unbeaten streak alive. They’re 25-0-1 in league play over three soccer seasons, and Whitelaw hopes they’ll firm up in the weeks ahead.

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Coming up:

Wood River hosted Magic Valley Christian Tuesday in another league game, then the Wolverines have their Homecoming game Thursday, Sept. 18 against Snake River at 5 p.m.

The busy Wolverine schedule continues Saturday, Sept. 20 with an 11 a.m. home league game against Declo. Wood River goes to Bliss Monday and entertains Marsh Valley Tuesday.

The Community School is idle for a week. The Cutthroats resume Tuesday, Sept. 23 at home against Twin Falls.

Looking ahead, Third District power Payette (5-0) remained unbeaten with a 7-0 thrashing of Weiser. The Fourth District champion will meet the Third District winner in the first round of the State 3A tournament Oct. 30 in Buhl.

 

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