By Luke Schrock, WKTV Intern
It was a senior-dominated performance in the Wyoming-Lee Legends’ 4-1 win against the Godwin Heights Fighting Wolverines Tuesday, Sept. 8, in the first soccer matches for both teams amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s tough because the kids are not used to playing with masks on, but we have to follow the state rules and I like what the state said. We are safer by wearing them,” said Wyoming-Lee Head Coach Jaime Ramirez.
The Legends would score early in the first half with a penalty kick from senior Jose Sosa in the second minute. Senior Jesus Gutierrez would follow not that far behind with a goal of his own in the 4th minute to make it a quick 2-0 lead for Lee High School.
Godwin Heights senior Kevin Zarco-Salto would end the shutout in the 16th minute to keep it at a one-point deficit. But Lee senior Gerardo Montanez scored his team’s third goal in the 36th minute on a penalty kick to end the first half, 3-1.
“They (the seniors) are normally the ones who normally take the lead in everything, so I love that,” coach Ramirez said. “This is a really good team right now.”
The second half possession leaned more in the favor of Godwin Heights. The Fighting Wolverines out shot Wyoming-Lee but couldn’t take advantage of three clear shots that soared over the crossbar. But their defense blunted several Lee attacks.
“We dominated the whole game,” Godwin coach Federico Villafuerte said. “We got more shots. Unfortunately we lost on three penalty kicks. … We just did not finish” on their scoring opportunities.
It is quite clear that coach Ramirez likes what he sees in his squad, but he sees his junior center-defender Alexander Ruiz and sophomore Ismael Galvan being key players to watch as the season progresses.
“Well, number 10 (Ismael Galvan) got chosen to spend a month to try out for semi-pro in Mexico. So he is one of them, but definitely my center-defender Alexander Ruiz. He is probably the key for the team, he is blocking everything right now.”
Wyoming-Lee is back in action today, Sept. 10, at Kelloggsville and Godwin Heights travels to Comstock Park, also on Sept. 10.
