Waubonsie Valley surprises Neuqua Valley

Waubonsie Valley's senior night couldn't have gone any better.

The Warriors snapped Neuqua Valley's seven-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory, picking up their second Upstate Eight Valley win and earning their first shutout of the season.

"Coming off that (4-0) loss to Batavia it was more about redemption," said Waubonsie coach Jose Garcia. "I think there was more of an energy surge that we needed and that's what I told them. I needed a little more energy and a little more heart, and they gave it."

In the first half the Wildcats (12-6-0, 5-1-0) kept most of the possession - as expected - as the Warriors (7-5-3, 2-2-3) sat back and defended.

With the ball mostly going through midfielders Kas Baladi, Xavi Ortiz and forward Ryan Ross, Neuqua looked most dangerous getting to the endline and putting in low, hard crosses. Forward Austin Flatt had a couple of good chances to put the ball in the net, but Waubonsie closed the half scoreless.

"Early on we got to the endline, we got the ball in front of the goal and we didn't finish," said Neuqua coach Skip Begley. "So rather than continue that, we kind of lost faith in that and we kind of looked to get the ball in deeper and play faster and longer balls, and not as much possession. I think they reacted well."

In the second half senior captain Jon Braun's brace made Neuqua rue those missed opportunities.

Braun scored first 12 minutes into the second half, capitalizing on a miscommunication in the back from Neuqua and slotting home a long ball from Justin Damon.

The second came just about 15 minutes later when Braun pounced on a bouncing ball after a short corner to give his team a 2-0 lead.

"We switched formations at the half, which gave us more offensive power…," Braun said. "We were able to move the ball around and hold it up top and then be able to distribute it."

The Warriors defense was organized enough to slow down the Neuqua attack, and senior goalkeeper Eddie Sanchez put in 11 saves on the night to earn the shutout.

"One thing that we really changed today was the communication out of the back," Sanchez said. "Everybody was picking up everyone's assignments, so there was a lot less of these 1-on-1 situations, which made my life easier, and who better to get a shutout than against your cross-town rivals."