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Warriors Wrap Up 1st Half of
League With Win 1/15
Nobody
likes people who make excuses. The last person who you'll hear excuses
from is Coach Basanese when it comes to VC's 0-6 league start.
"At the beginning of the season, I claimed that this team
was the best we've had in a number of years. Talent wise, we may
be the best. I still stand by that. We've got what it takes,
we just haven't gotten the results for whatever reason. We have no
excuses, we own that record as a team, coaches, players, managers."
The Warriors dubious start can be misleading, however.
In the past two weeks, the team has dropped nail biters against the
CCS's top teams. A problem that Basanese believes is more mental
than a talent deficiency.
"We just need to believe in ourselves. We need to
play for each other, and win together. Our recent run of bad
results should motivate this team, because we are a solid group."
Basanese said.
The team has gone 5-0-1 this season outside of the WCAL,
and after today's win against Riordan is now 1-6 in league. The
strength of the league is a positive thing for the team, if they can
make it to the playoffs, Basanese says.
"If we can just get into CCS, we'll be better prepared
than any team that competes in a league other than the WCAL. We
play the top teams, literally, in the area week in and week out."
The Warriors welcomed Archbishop Riordan, on an
absolutely breathtaking day on the hill. The weather was 75
degrees, and there was not a cloud to be found.
The tone was right in the locker room after a great team dinner last
night at the Rosa-Diniz household. The team had an awesome lasagna
dinner, and listened to a devotion by Danny Hittler about Joseph.
The game started off in favor of VC with Alex de Leon placing a perfect
shot past the goalkeeper into the far post side netting, in the 3rd
minute. 1-0 VC.
What followed was a barrage of goals, 3 in the first 10 minutes as the
game was put away early. Austin Mansker and most of the starters
were rested, something that Basanese sees as an advantage heading into
this weekend's game with SI.
"We got our reserves significant time today, which is very important for
two reasons. One, we need those guys to be ready when called on.
Secondly, the rest of the league battled it out today, and we were able
to get our guys some rest after that tough Saint Francis game on
Tuesday. It was good all around."
Goals by Alex de Leon (3 in 15 minutes), Trevor Plug (2), Sam Mathison,
Zack Thielmann, and Spencer were the difference. Riordan put
several good shots on goalkeeper Patrick Colombana, and put three great
goals past him.
"You have to give it to Riordan. Going down 7-0 at halftime is a
tough spot to be, and they didn't lay down. I was impressed with
those guys. They came out and scored three very nice goals against
us. Those weren't cheapies," Basanese said.
A
much needed win for the Warriors, and the team now prepares for a
rematch with Saint Ignatius. SI and VC played early in the season,
and the Warriors lost 2-1 in San Francisco. The SI Wildcats are 10-1-1,
and sit atop the WCAL.
The Warriors will need all the support they can get, as SI plays well at
VC. Please come out and support the team! 11am on Saturday.
Video of the
goals can seen here (large file).
Game Notes: Alex de Leon's hat trick was the second of the
season for the Warriors. The other was by Trevor Plug against
Westmont...Sam Mathison scored his second goal of the season...Spencer
Ramsey his first...Zack Thielmann scored on a header for his second goal
in 3 games this season.
VCSoccer.com Man of the Match: Alex
de Leon (3g, 1a)
| Archbishop Riordan |
0 |
3 |
3 |
| Valley Christian |
7 |
1 |
8 |
Scoring Summary:
Alex de Leon (Trevor Plug)
Trevor Plug (Britt Nelson)
Trevor Plug (Alex de Leon)
Alex de Leon (Britt Nelson)
Alex de Leon (Joseph Rosa-Diniz)
Sam Mathison (Zack Thielmann)
Zack Thielmann (Ian Larsson)
Spencer Ramsey (Trevor Plug)
VC Starting Lineup: Mansker, Joseph, Berding, Gizzi,
Hittler, Tarangioli, Ramirez, Nelson, Rosa-Diniz, Plug, de Leon
Game time: 3:15 pm
Weather: 75 degrees, sunny |
