Preps: Wolves hand Indians first defeat

GIBSONTON – Newsome boys coach Neal Rickmers has considered his side a version of the “Cardiac Kids” so far this season, with the Wolves having had the potential to win all of their games, only to end up with a loss and two ties on their record.

On Tuesday night against district rival East Bay, the Wolves produced their most even performance of the season, and as a result took a 1-0 victory against the previously undefeated Indians, a first-half goal by Carlos Galeano proving the difference.

“It was great,” Rickmers said. “There was a lot of back and forth, and I think it was very well done.”

With a typically narrow field, Newsome (4-1-2, 2-0-2 Class 5A-8) was able to use long throw-ins into the penalty area to create opportunities, one leading to a flicked header going off the top of the crossbar. Then in the 31st minute, the Wolves got a long throw-in chance from the left side of the penalty. The ball got past the first group of player trying for a flick on at the near post, and bounced through to Galeano on the right side of the penalty area, who fired a crisp half-volley into the roof of the net from 14 yards out.

“It was a great opportunity,” Rickmers said. “When you get so many opportunities, you have to put them all away. With a team like (East Bay) I was afraid that if they get one, the whole game shifts completely back to East Bay, and they’ve got momentum, especially on their field.”

Newsome’s Harold Gussman had one of those other opportunities right before halftime as he beat his marker for speed down the right before cutting into the penalty area, but he was denied twice by East Bay goalkeeper Derrick Miranda, who made an outstanding double-save to keep the score 1-0 at the break.

East Bay (5-1-1, 1-1-1) came out sharper in the second half, Brandon Walker having a pair of shots well saved, but Newsome’s defense gave the Indians little time and space to create any close-range opportunities. Newsome could have extended its lead as well, Gussman being put through on goal multiple times late on only to be denied by Miranda.

Miranda was disappointed his side had lost their undefeated record, but thought the loss would provide a necessary jolt to the Indians.

“No-one likes to lose,” Miranda said. “So I think next time we’re going to come out and give it our all. I think, because we were 5-0-1, we took it that we’re all great and everything, but we got woken up. I think next time, it’s not going to be like this.”