Above: VC arrives at Serra High School and begins game preparations.

McLaughlin's winner paces VC past Serra 4-0 1/7

  After a tough 3-1 loss at the hands of Bellarmine this past Thursday, the Warriors traveled to Junipero Serra to take on the Padres.  The Serra Varsity soccer team plays it's home match on a field turf field similar to the one at VC.

Before the game, the Warriors learned that two of their starting defenders would not be available for the game, Chris McElhatton and Tyler Seaman.  Both players out with injuries.  The injuries gave Junior Tyler Williamson his first Varsity start, and he took advantage of it playing tremendously against Serra's best player.

The game would start off as a back and forth affair with both teams having chances.  Twenty minutes in, Serra's forward got in alone with 'keeper Ben Hansen.  As he neared the six yard box, he blasted a left footed shot that Hansen dove and parried out of bounds. The save was incredible, and it was likely the turning point that the Warriors needed.

Six minutes later, Jeff Coggan took a ball through the 18 yard box beating several defenders before taking his shot.  His attempt skimmed a defender and rattled off the right post, narrowly missing Valley's first goal.

In the thirty-fourth minute, Ben Hansen stepped up to take a free kick from midfield.  The ball soared over the back line of Serra where an onrushing Brad McLaughlin took his chance.  Just before being cleated by the 'keeper, Brad chipped the ball over the goalie and into the net. His first goal of his VC career, and an important one. 1-0.

At halftime, the Warriors made some minor defensive adjustments before heading back out.  Just six minutes into the second half, the Warriors would double their lead.  Coggan went in alone and put a juke on the 'keeper and beat him.  As the Serra goalie slid, he reached out and grabbed Coggan's leg. The ref pointed to the spot where VC would be awarded a Penalty Kick.  Warriors' forward Joey Stryker stepped up and clinically finished the spot kick to the left corner. 2-0.

After that goal, all that stood between VC and a 4-0 win was one great save and two magic goals.

Just moments after Stryker put the Warriors up 2-0, Hansen would come up with one of the most amazing saves of the year. Serra's forward, also Ben's club teammate, broke through the defense to find himself alone with the VC 'keeper.  Ben rushed out and took the shot off the face as he sprawled out.

"Once again, I asked Benny to keep them out of our net, and he did.  That was one of the greatest saves of his VC career I think." coach Basanese said afterwards.

Moments later, the Warriors would put the game away for good. Jeff Coggan took a third straight corner kick.  The 3rd time was the charm. David Nettemeyer rose above the defense to nod home the corner kick. 3-0 Warriors, Nettemeyer's first goal this season.

Just four minutes later, David scored his second to finish off the scoring.  Coggan took a free kick from the edge of the 18 yard box.  Once again, Nettemeyer rose above the defense and headed the ball, this time into the upper corner of the net.  A sensational strike that capped off a day of some great goals.

"It's funny, just yesterday I was talking to David at practice. I was asking him why he didn't score more...Well I think he answered that question!" Basanese commented.

On Nettemeyer's second goal, Jeff Coggan recorded his 27th career assist, setting the school record for assists.  Incidentally, the previous record holder was Jimmy Coggan, Jeff's older brother who starred at VC and now ply's his trade for Seattle Pacific University.

The Warriors will travel next to Archbishop Riordan this coming Tuesday. 

vcsoccer.com man of the match: David Nettemeyer (2 goals)

Scoring summary:

McLaughlin (Hansen) '34

Stryker (Penalty) '46

Nettemeyer (Coggan) '50

Nettemeyer (Coggan) '54

VC Starting Lineup: Hansen, Zvolanek, Williamson, Mark, Nettemeyer, Field, Keeling, Coggan, Osuna, Goldsmith, Stryker

Weather: Clear then rain

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