Boys soccer: Waubonsie Valley blanks West Aurora
Rogelio Grimaldo more than compensated for an indifferent free kick only moments earlier.
"It was a very bad free kick," the Waubonsie Valley junior said of his effort from slightly outside the box.
But senior teammate Eduardo Cuatzo gave Grimaldo new life late in the Warriors' nonconference boys soccer match against West Aurora Thursday afternoon.
Cuatzo had a crafty steal from behind a West Aurora forward and fed Grimaldo on the left side.
Grimaldo dribbled a few yards and broke the scoreless draw with a low runner to the right side.
The score with 12 minutes, 9 seconds remaining was the lone goal in the Warriors' 1-0 victory at West Aurora.
"I got out wide and saw (Cuatzo) opening up," Grimaldo said. "He laid it right on my feet. It was a really good ball."
"We want to have our best season," Cuatzo said after Waubonsie Valley improved to 2-0. "When I got possession of the ball, I saw Rogelio and got it to him."
In an exceptionally well-played game in which both teams tackled brilliantly, continually pressed the attack and combined for several near-misses, the Grimaldo score proved to be a match-winner.
West Aurora (2-1) would mount a furious last-ditch effort for the equalizer in the last four minutes, but Jose Munoz, Alejandro Torres and Emanuel Acosta either grazed the crossbar or had Warrior keeper Jony Ruiz record one of his 7 saves.
Grimaldo and Munoz each had wondrous opportunities to score early in the match.
Two-plus minutes into the match, Grimaldo rifled a wind-aided shot from 40 yards out that necessitated a sprawling left-handed save by West Aurora keeper Diego Daniel.
"I have a really strong left-footed shot," Grimaldo said. "I just had an opening. Whenever I see an opening I just take the shot like my coach (Jose Garcia) says. The keeper made a great save."
On the ensuing West Aurora possession, Munoz counterattacked by accepting a feed along the left side from Christian Mercado.
The senior, who entered the match with all 5 West Aurora goals, artfully split a double team by adroitly using his forehead to advance his dribble.
But Ruiz reduced the angle and easily made the save.
It proved to be a frustrating home date for Munoz, who failed to convert a flawless give-and-go with Emanuel Acosta early in the second half.
"I had more than one (quality chance),"Munoz said. "I had a few of them. I was able to get between (the two defenders in the opening minutes). I took the shot. It wasn't a good shot. I wanted to help out the team, but it didn't work out."
"(Munoz) scores in the fifth and 42nd minute, and it's a different story," West Aurora coach Joe Sustersic said. "We had our opportunities."