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VC Defeats Riordan At Skyline College 1/26
After
a last minute change of venue for this past weekend's game, the Warriors
travelled to Skyline College to take on Archbishop Riordan.
Transportation to the game was tricky, but thanks to great support from
the school, and heroic efforts from the Walitsch family, everything
worked out.
"We're just very lucky to have families in our program
who are willing to help out wherever they can. This week it was
the Walitsch family driving kids all the way to Skyline. We are
very lucky to have great people surrounding us at this school," coach
Basanese said.
The team arrived just on time, and found the weather at
Skyline to be perfect. Overcast, but no wind, and no rain!
After watching the second half of the JV match (tied
1-1), the Warriors took the field dressed in Navy blue.
The game started off with VC pressuring the Riordan
backline, but they were unable to find the net. Riordan was well
organized, and did a good job of looking for counter attack
opportunities, something coach Basanese expected.
"Riordan scored on us last time we played, plus they
scored on Bellarmine, and Mitty. We knew they would counter
attack, and luckily Austin (Mansker) made a couple of key saves
throughout the game to keep them off the board."
At the end of the first half, the score was tied at 0.
The second half saw a much more energetic VC team take
the field. The Warriors played in Riordan's end for much of the
period, and eventually broke through 5 minutes into the half.
Leading scorer, Alex de Leon, took a pass about 25 yards out and quickly
found Joseph Rosa-Diniz. Joseph played a first time pass back to
de Leon who calmly played it past the onrushing Riordan 'keeper. 1-0 VC.
Video of the goal is here.
About ten minutes later, the Warriors would add a second goal when
Joseph played a perfect square pass to Jake Joseph. Jake took an
inside out touch, and fired an upper-v shot that screamed past the
Riordan goalkeeper, who had played the shot well.
Video of Jake's goal is here.
"That was an amazing goal. In person, I was impressed, but when I
saw the video it blew me away. That may be one of the top goals
we've had in the past few years. It's probably in the top 3."
Basanese said.
"The best part of both goals were that they were things we've been
working on. Jake's goal looked exactly like a drill we run during
positional vitamins at practice each day. And with Alex's goal,
I've been asking him to mix up dribbling and passing a little more.
He moved off the ball just like I want, and Joe put it right on his
foot. Two great goals." Basanese concluded.
Valley Christian goalkeeper, Austin Mansker, kept Riordan off the
scoreboard to record his second WCAL shutout of the season. Though he
wasn't challenged many times, a crazy foot-save in the waning minutes of
the game iced the game for VC.
Video of the save is here. Drag
the slider to watch it in slow motion as it hits Austin's foot.
"We were getting playing time for some players who really deserved it,
and if they had scored there, it would've really changed things.
Austin makes those saves look routine, but that was pretty incredible,"
Coach Donny Fugate said.
The game ended 2-0, and after a lunch stop at Alotta's Deli in Los
Altos, the Warriors returned home.
The next game is Tuesday the 29th against 2nd place St. Francis at
Valley Christian. The game will be hard fought, with pride on the
line.
"It's senior day, it's at our home field, and we lost to St. Francis
earlier in the year. They've become a really strong program over
the past few years, and I feel like they're one of the best teams in
CCS. That said, I really believe our kids will give it everything
they have. I'm excited for the WCAL finale." Basanese said.
Thank you to our great
parents for taking photos at the game, they can be seen here.
Stay tuned to the website for details on Tuesday's game.
Game Notes: Alex de Leon's goal was his 9th of the season, and
12th of his young career...this places him in 7th place on the VC
All-Time Scoring list, moving him past Ryan Corry ('05), and into a tie
with Joey Stryker.
VCSoccer.com Man of the Match: Joseph
Rosa-Diniz (setup both goals)
| Valley Christian |
0 |
2 |
2 |
| Archbishop Riordan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
VC Scoring Summary:
Alex de Leon (Rosa-Diniz) '45
Jake Joseph (Rosa-Diniz) '55
VC Starting Lineup: Mansker, Walitsch, Seaman,
Cardoza, Reyes, Rosa-Diniz, Tarangioli, Joseph, Plug, Fahmy, Alex de
Leon
Game time: 12 noon
Weather: Cloudy, 53 degrees |
