Alejandro Alvarado had a goal and an assist to lead The Woodlands to a 4-0 victory over Mark Morris on a rainy Thursday night at Longview Memorial Stadium.
With Mark Morris keeper Sam Allen guarding the goal, Woodland freshman Logan Speranza (white) pounces on a loose ball in the penalty box and takes a shot. Speranza scored the goal to lead Woodland to victory in the 2A GSHL contest on Thursday, April 11, at Longview Memorial Stadium.
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Woodland controlled the game, scoring two goals in each half, and kept Mark Morris at bay in the 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Beavers and kept them in line with mid-league teams Fort Vancouver and Hudson's Bay as they look to return to the playoffs.
The Beavers took control from the start, and their speed and skill with the ball proved too elite for Mark Morris to match.
The Monarchs broke the glass ceiling and returned home in style with a 2-0 win over Washougal on Tuesday. These were the first goals in more than two years and the program's first win.
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Mark Morris senior Austin Lomax holds the ball with a Woodlands midfielder during the first half of a 2A Greater St. Helens League game Thursday, April 11, at Longview Memorial Stadium. fight
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Instead of building on his strong momentum, Mark Morris' results were flat. I watched Woodland break through the midfield and score two goals within the first 12 minutes. The Beavers' first goal came in the eighth minute when Alejandro Alvarado sliced through the Monarchs' defense and sent a through ball to Logan Speranza in the penalty area, who fired a shot past goalie Sam Allen.
Then, in the 12th minute, Woodland senior Diego Almodovar doubled his team's advantage after receiving a feed from Christian Cruz.
Woodlands' Diego Almodóvar (right) slides to the ball, but Mark Morris keeper Sam Allen snaps it away late in the second half of the 2A Greater St. Helens League game on Thursday, April 11. I stole it.
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Woodland coach Onesimo Sebastian liked the way the Beavers' midfield played more effectively with more complex attacking schemes.
“We're still trying to figure ourselves out and find a different rhythm,” Sebastian said. “We've always been a team that keeps possession of the ball, spreads the defense and tries to find gaps. I think we have a better understanding of what we're trying to do in the Woodlands. Simple through open space. I want to play ball.”
Woodland's system worked well through most of the first half and well into the second half. While the Monarchs routinely turned the ball over, the Beavers had quick access to the ball up the middle.
Mark Morris sophomore Bryce Farquhar (center) competes for the ball during the second half of a game against The Woodlands on Thursday, April 11, at Longview Memorial Stadium.
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The visitors tormented Monarchs keeper Allen throughout the first half, but were unable to extend their lead until Yahair Gomez scored a spot goal after the Monarchs' penalty whistle in the 57th minute.
The Beavers' winning goal came in stoppage time. Alvarado juggled and spun a throw-in from Cruz and fired a volley past Allen and into the far post.
Almodovar, one of the Beavers' senior leaders, was impressed with the team's midfield play against Mark Morris.
“Our ball movement is crazy. We have Cristian, Yajea and Alejandro. Those three guys can move the ball really well,” Almodovar said. “A strong midfield connects with the back and everything leads to a counter-attack.”
On the other bench, Mark Morris' coach Luis Garcia was unhappy with his team's effort to start the game.
Mark Morris goalkeeper Sam Allen pounces on a Woodlands free kick to make a save during the first half of the 2A Greater St. Helens League game at Longview Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 11. I made it a success.
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“(The start) was completely flat,” Garcia said. “I think they were still very excited about the win we got on Tuesday, and I tried to prepare the players to keep their emotions in check, but that definitely worked out the best for us. I think so.”
Heading into the game against the Beavers, the Monarchs coach highly praised his team's ability to shut out the game.
“(Woodland) has a really good midfield. They pass the ball. It's give and go, give and go,” Garcia added. “They were able to control the game, but we weren't doing our job.”
The Woodlands (3-6 league, 3-6 league) return to the field in Fort Vancouver on Saturday.
Mark Morris (1-9, 1-8) heads to Hockinson on Saturday.
