Warriors Men's Soccer Ready for East Region Play

Walla Walla, WA - Following last week's trip to take on Skagit Valley and Whatcom, the Warriors Men's Soccer team is ready to turn their attention to in-region play. Walla Walla was able to wrap up the preseason schedule with a split, losing a close match to Skagit Valley 2-1 on Wednesday before earning a 2-1 victory themselves over Whatcom on Thursday. First year head coach Abel Bautista has the Warriors, now 2-3 on the year, ready to dive right in to East Region play this weekend with a big matchup against rival Columbia Basin.

Walla Walla 1 vs. Skagit Valley 2 (Wednesday, September 3)

Skagit Valley was able to jump out immediately and pressure the Walla Walla defense in the first half, as all six of their registered shots in the match would come in the first period of play. Keeper Aaron Lowry was able to make a couple of saves, but the attack of Skagit Valley resulted in two goals which would give them a 2-0 lead at halftime. Shortly after play resumed in the second half, Tommy Vargas would open up his scoring for the year with a goal in the 50th minute that would cut into the lead making the score 2-1. Despite four total shots and four opportunities from the corner in the second half, the Warriors were unable to find the equalizer and the match would end with Skagit Valley on top 2-1.

Walla Walla 2 vs. Whatcom 1 (Thursday, September 4)

It was a tale of two different days as on Thursday against Whatcom it was the Warriors applying all of the early pressure and setting the tone for the match from the start! In the first minute of action, Alvaro Castellon got things started finding the back of the net off of an assist from Danny Gonzalez giving the Warriors a 1-0 lead. Castellon wasn't done for the day as in the 24th minute he doubled up his goal total for the match with some help from Joel Rogers and Adrian Arangure, extending the Walla Walla lead to 2-0 which would hold until halftime. Whatcom was able to get an answer of their own in the 65th minute to cut into the Warrior lead, but goalkeeper Aaron Lowry was solid in net registering 10 saves in the second half, a key part to preserving the 2-1 win for Walla Walla.

What's next?

The heart of the season is upon the Warrior men as they will look to open up NWAC East play with some momentum, hosting Columbia Basin College on campus this Saturday. Kickoff of the match is set for 12:00 PM.