Boys Soccer: Raiders roll, Cougs take loss in openers

Raiders smack Miners, 4-0

By Ty Pimienta, reporting intern

After a defensive first 10 minutes, Reed took over on Bishop Manogue’s home field on its way to a 4-0 rout in Wednesday’s season opener.

Benjamin Vega scored the Raiders’ first two goals of the afternoon to spot the guests a 2-0 lead at the half. Alex Reyes stretched the lead to 3-0 just two minutes into the second half, assisted by Daniel Morales, and his second goal of the day, in the 65th minute accounted for the final tally.

Although Raiders blanked the Miners, Reed coach Joel Martinez still believes that there are challenges facing his team.

“I think we made our own challenges by not finishing and executing the proper plays that we need to finish,” Martinez said. “Hats off to Manogue, but there’s gonna be stronger and tougher opponents on the line, and those are the things that we have to finish and work on.”

Even though Manogue took the lopsided loss, coach Zach Besso, believes in using this defeat as tool for the team.

“Definitely using the match as a learning tool for our boys,” Besso said. “We are a very young team, and so that being said, we’re going to use each game to learn from our mistakes.”

The Raiders return to action next Wednesday at Carson.

Wooster blanks Spanish Springs

By Jasmine Gutierrez, reporting intern

Spanish Springs fell 2-0 at home to Wooster in Wednesday night’s season opener.

“They played better than us,” Spanish Springs’ coach Winston Mora said. “We were nervous. We need to be a little more relaxed and play the way we practice.”

What was a slow start for both teams changed at the 37th minute when Javier Martinez scored Wooster’s first goal of the night.

“I saw it was a counterattack and ran for (the ball),” Martinez said.

Wooster didn’t stop there. Late in the second half, in the 73rd minute, Aldo Caripo provided an insurance goal.

“It was a good game,” Wooster’s coach Jorge Vieyra said. “Great beginning for the season, but we have a lot of work to do.”

Spanish Springs (0-1, 0-1) hosts Bishop Minogue next Wednesday at 7 p.m.