Monday, March 18, 2024

Cascade Soccer team off to terrific start

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Despite having played only in the gym the past couple weeks, the Cascade Boys’ Soccer team is off to a solid 3-0-1 start. 

Cascade opened the season on March 11 at Ephrata. The Kodiaks won 2-0. Jose Valdez started the scoring with a goal in the 20th minute off a corner kick from Arturo (Cholo) Avila. In the second half, Danny Sandoval scored an insurance goal on a nice through-ball by Alex Lopez. 

“For the first game of the season and the third time we have had a chance to play outside, I was pleased. There is lots of room for improvement, but a lot went well too,” said Cascade Co-Head Coach Pete Spiegel. “We hope to see many goals coming from free kicks. We dominated play in the first half. Our defense, led by Alexis Tovar and Joseph Blake, stymied their attacks.”

The second half was a more even affair, Spiegel said. 

“Our timing is a little off, but that is to be expected since it is so early in the season and we have such a young team,” Spiegel said. 

On March 14, Cascade played at Sultan. It was supposed to be a home game, but with all the snow the team will likely not play a home game for some time. The Kodiaks won 3-1. 

“Sultan was a strong team. They had some skilled players. We found ourselves on our heels for the first part of the game. However, Freshman Arturo Avila found the back of the net with a blast from close range. In the second half, Avila took off right were he left off as he scored his second goal,” Spiegel said. 

Senior captain Alexis Tovar scored the third goal in the second half. The Turks got on the board with a goal in the 70th minute. 

“Throughout the game Joseph Blake played with nonstop energy and determination. He played hard from the start to the end,” Spiegel said. 

Cascade played at 2A powerhouse Quincy on March 16. The Kodiaks came away with an impressive 4-1 win. Quincy opened the scoring in the 6th minute, but just minutes after that, Valdez scored the equalizer on a brilliant through-ball from Arturo Avila. 

Avila scored the second goal on the assist from Valdez to make it a 2-1 score at half. The second half belonged to Avila, Spiegel said. 

“He scored one of the prettier goals I have seen after 20 minutes of the second half to make the score 3-1. He then put an exclamation on the game with a blast with about 5 minutes remaining. He scored a 4th goal, but that was called back,” Spiegel said. “So far, we have gotten good production from our front line of Jose Valdez and Arturo Avila. We have also been getting solid play from our back four and our goalie, Jose Mendoza. We just have to be careful of injuries and keeping our grades up.”

On March 17, Cascade played in Seattle against Kings. The game ended tied 2-2. Cascade plays at Okanogan on Thursday. They are scheduled to host Cashmere next Tuesday, field conditions permitting. 

Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

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