Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Snake-bitten no more, WRHS earns 2-2 tie with D’Backs

Lopez’s late tally finds the corner


By JEFF CORDES
Express Staff Writer

Wood River senior Luis “Freddy” Tamayo (right) works his way past Century defender Jake Thompson during Saturday’s 2-2 tie in Hailey. Photo by Willy Cook

Wood River High senior striker Hector Lopez just couldn't believe that Century senior goalkeeper Bryan Lynch had made the crucial save.

Lynch bolted out of the net and used a quick arm to bat away Lopez's superb chance, on a beautiful centering pass from Luis "Freddy" Tamayo.

In disbelief, Lopez yanked his jersey over his head and hid his face. Only two minutes remained in Saturday's non-conference boys' soccer game between Wood River and the Century Diamondbacks from Pocatello on the Hailey pitch.

Lopez felt snake-bitten.

"Hector was mad at himself," said first-year Wood River coach Luis Monjaras. "But Century's goalkeeper was pretty awesome all game."

Century had just taken a 2-1 lead and Wood River, despite out-shooting Century 21-7 over the course of the 80-minute game, was running out of chances. Lopez thought for a moment that his shot and Lynch's save would be decisive.

He was wrong.

Wood River, refusing to go away, put together one more chance. Senior sweeper Cody Phelps counterattacked with a lead pass to Tamayo in the right corner of the field. Tamayo didn't waste a second. He quickly centered to Lopez, who hammered it home with just 16 seconds left in the game.

Tie game, 2-2. In a show of sportsmanship, Lopez went over to congratulate D'Backs keeper Lynch after the whistle.

"Century is a very good team, but Hector made good when he had the last chance," said Monjaras afterwards. "We're playing well. The only thing that is killing us is not finishing our opportunities."

Wood River (12-0 advantage in corner kicks) had plenty.

Passing well and attacking often in the first 20 minutes led by Tamayo and Lopez up front, Wood River couldn't put the ball home. The home team did amass a bunch of fouls. Century scored on its fifth free kick of the first half, a Corey Christiansen serve that Jon Powell headed home at 21 minutes.

"None of our players challenged the goal scorer, then we started playing kick ball the rest of the half," said Monjaras. "At halftime we reminded them—bring the ball down, three touches at most, and let the ball do the running."

Wood River also made some halftime adjustments—moving senior Morgan Pike from midfield to forward, placing Tamayo out wide, having junior Charlie Evans play an attacking midfielder and standing up Lopez at center mid.

Eleven minutes after half, Wood River freshman defender Trevor Brand lifted a high shot into the box and Byrne (12 saves) caught it, but he stepped on the line and gave Wood River one of its eight corner kicks in the second half.

Tamayo had made six or seven marvelous corner kick serves during the game, but this time he chipped the ball from the corner to Brand, and Brand cranked out a cross that Pike headed home for a 1-1 tie.

At the 74-minute mark, Century's Christiansen scored in the box on a nice pass from Josh Goodwin for a 2-1 Century lead. And it looked like it would hold up until Lopez's equalizer.

It was the first meeting of the two teams since 2006, and Wood River now holds a 4-2-1 advantage in the soccer series.

Wood River (1-0-1) completes its season-opening three-game homestand today, Wednesday with a 4:30 Great Basin Conference game against reigning league champion Jerome at South Valley Sports Complex.

There is no secret to the success of two-time defending GBC champion Jerome (19-1-1 last fall, 3rd place State 4A).

Jerome's star is dangerous senior forward Fermin Martinez (32 goals last year, 69 career). He already has scored nine goals as Jerome (3-0-0, 20-2 goals against) as won 7-1 over Hillcrest of Idaho Falls, 10-0 over Mountain Home and 3-1 over Madison of Rexburg.

Monjaras said, "Our main tactic will be double pressure on Fermin, trying to stop long kicks that are so dangerous."

Wood River still holds an 11-7-1 edge in the soccer series with Jerome since 1997, but the Wolverines haven't won in the last eight meetings including seven losses, and were outscored 17-5 in three 2008 losses.




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