The MVHS boys soccer team defeated Pioneer 2-0 on Dec. 6, in a comfortable match that showcased dynamic attacks and strong defense.
The game started relatively even with neither team being able to create meaningful scoring opportunities.
After a foul by a Pioneer player in the box, senior forward Akshay Chugh converted a penalty to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute.
MVHS began to take more control of the game after the goal and continued to push towards Pioneer’s net. In the 31st minute, senior midfielder Aidan Wong took a shot that bounced off the post and out. Head Coach Jim McGuirk said the return of senior midfielder Niko Dekovic from injury contributed to their improved play.
“We had a lot of good possession through the middle,” head Coach Jim McGuirk said. “So it was good to have Niko back.”
Coming out of the halftime break, the Spartans continued to pound the Pioneer goal with shots. In the 43rd minute, senior forward Wesley Liu whiffed a shot from just outside the box and in the 54th minute Wong hit the post again.
After another Pioneer foul MVHS was awarded another penalty kick. This time, junior midfielder Cyrus Shafie stepped up to take it and scored to increase the lead to two in the 64th minute.
In the 80th minute, Pioneer crossed a ball into the box that ended up grazing off of an MVHS defender’s hand. A penalty was awarded to Mustangs, but it was shot over the bar to keep the score at 2-0.
From that moment the Spartans maintained control of the ball for the rest of the game, not allowing any significant scoring chances for the Mustangs.
“It was a good win, honestly, even though there were two penalties,” Shafie said.
MVHS plays St. Francis away on Dec. 7. McGuirk said the game will be one of the team’s biggest challenges this season.
“St. Francis is top of CCS, so I think we’ll get a good test on Saturday,” McGuirk said.
