Friday, September 10, 2004

Net gains

Wolverines pound Pocatello, 7-1


The Wolverine varsity boys? soccer team rolled Pocatello up like a rug at home Tuesday.

Coach Farrell Swain called the 7-1 victory surprising for the ease with which it was accomplished and pleasing for the manner in which her team played.

?We played really, really well,? Swain said. ?The first 13 minutes were the best soccer I have seen this team play.

?I think we were surprised in general (by Pocatello). They were 5A and moved down to 4A. My guys were a little nervous when they got here, but they rose to the occasion.?

It was firing day at the range when the Wolverines stepped onto the field. The offense cracked six shots ? all over the crossbar ? in the first 12 minutes.

The first shot on the ground ? Willie Meyers? roller at the keeper ? went through at the 13-minute mark.

The Indians (0-4) answered immediately. Sticking to their game plan of kick and run, forward Byron Eckert equalized on a through ball a minute later.

?One shot and one goal in the first half. It was just a mind lapse. We played down to their level but we brought it back up,? Swain said.

Audie McCann, his head swathed like a Revolutionary War soldier to protect stitches, bounced a free kick off the crossbar. It ricocheted straight down and opportunistic sophomore striker Carl Jablonski finished it off for a 2-1 lead.

Hailey keeper Kristian Timmons preserved the lead, making a fine save on a tricky header that his defender let bounce through.

Jablonski netted consecutive scores in the second half. The second came when halfback Ted Dankanyin pushed the ball out to McCann on the wing, who passed it to Taylor Sundali. Sundali lofted it to Jablonski for a 4-1 advantage.

Michael Connor stuffed the rebound off a shot by Sundali for a 5-1 score and then Swain called off the dogs.

?Play possession,? she told the team, ?Knock it around.?

And they tried. But they Wolverines were rolling and they could not stop their momentum any more than hounds on a hunt.

Reno Christino showed power and accuracy by cracking a beautiful left-footed bender from 35 yards out. And the final goal by Spencer Cordavano was the culmination of 10 connected passes, highlighted by solid footwork and communication.

?The last five minutes of possession was unbelievable,? Swain said. ?Overall, I am really pleased.?

The Wolverines outshot Pocatello 29-3 and gave up only one corner kick to their seven.

Pocatello coach George Asboe remarked, ?They are the best team we?ve seen so far.?

Wood River (2-0-1) is home for its next four matches. The Wolverines entertain Preston on Saturday and Jerome on Tuesday.




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