"We all knew we had a chance at becoming Wood River's first team state champion. I remember feeling confident based on our play all season, the strength of our defense and especially the play of Charlie Askew in goal."
That comment, made this week by former Wood River High School assistant boys' soccer coach Craig Roth of Boise, coincided with a remark by head coach Brian Daluiso about Wood River's 1998 state championship team—remembered in today's special feature.
Daluiso said, "We knew we could compete. With the group of kids we had, we felt our bid for a state championship would probably come the following year. That it happened that year in Nampa was so special."
It was special because of a special championship game on Halloween—a game in which defending champion Weiser put enormous pressure on Wood River's defense and the Wolverines, inspired by the play of junior keeper Askew, withstood all the threats.
There were no goals scored in 110 minutes of fierce defensive soccer including 10-minute overtime periods, then Wood River won 4-1 in a penalty kick shootout by making four kicks (Alex McLaughlin, Chad Cleveland, Jason Southward, Josh Keefer) to one for Weiser.
"Weiser just shelled us. We didn't cross the midfield much in the second half. But our team became the force field that repelled everything they threw at us. And with every missed shot, Weiser became more frustrated," said Daluiso.
As the scoreless outcome drew closer to being settled by penalty kicks, coaches Daluiso and Roth felt confident enough in their goalkeeper's superiority over Weiser's goalkeeper that they actually wanted it to be settled by penalty kicks.
"Weiser controlled most of the game," said Roth. "The play became hurried and anxious toward the end, and we picked up a foul (in the first OT) giving away a penalty kick. As the ball was placed for the kick, I remember thinking that if Charlie saves this and we make it to penalty kicks, we'll win." And Askew made the save.
Daluiso said, "Everybody was so wrapped up in the intensity. I was still in my 20s, but I felt my heart jumping out of my chest. When we won, it was so unexpected and out of the blue."
After returning to Hailey that night, Halloween night, Wood River players didn't need to think about their costumes. They went dressed as state champions—the first ever at Wood River High School.
1998 State Tournament Most Valuable Player Charlie Askew, enjoying the moment after beating Weiser in the state championship game. Check today’s Express Web site for a reprinting of the post-tournament Express story. Photo by Jeff Cordes
