![Playing offense | Right wing senior Sharl Gonzalez attempts to pass the ball to his teammate, striker senior Oscar Feria (not pictured). “I trusted [Oscar] enough to pass him the ball, so I felt like if I got him the ball he would have been okay, and it would have helped the team,” Gonzalez said. “I felt disappointed in the result of the game, but I feel like as a team we tried our best.”](https://whshoofprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/soccer-1200x832.jpeg)
Varsity boys soccer tied with Don Lugo 1-1 on Dec. 10, making their preseason score 2-1-0.
The Conquistadors kicked off to start the game. In the first 15 minutes, Walnut remained on the opponent’s side of the field, attacking with every opportunity given. However, despite several goal attempts, Don Lugo was able to score the first goal on the Mustangs with their speed of play and constant aggression.
“There were a lot of times where if the ball was in the air, they were always first to get the ball, or they were always trying to get there first, which is admirable from the opposing side because it’s always nice to have good competition and hard competition,” captain senior Oscar Feria said. “It can be really challenging the way we play and the way we deliver ourselves out in the field.”
In the second half, Walnut launched a counterattack. Center back freshman Giovanni Rodriguez made an assist by kicking the ball to Feria, who went against the opposing center backs. After a mistimed header from the opponent, Feria redirected the ball and swiftly passed to the other center back, scoring a goal over the goalkeeper from the top of the penalty box.
“They were not better than us in touch or anything, they were just more organized,” Rodriguez said. “We didn’t do that the first half, but then later we became more organized, and it got us the goal.”
According to Feria, with many team members injured, Walnut has not been able to play at full capacity. However, by working harder as a team and listening to tactics regularly implemented in games, the Mustangs have shown consistent results throughout the preseason, holding an undefeated record. Their first league game will be held against Claremont at home on Dec. 19.
“I would really encourage people to come watch our games. I think this is a very strong soccer team that we have this year, and if people were to see the kind of performances we’re putting on, I think [they] would really appreciate it,” Feria said. Ω
