Prep Impressions: Dec. 3, 2010
I covered the Moreno Valley Valley View-Riverside Poly boys varsity soccer match for The Press-Enterprise on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010, and came away thinking the Bears’ defense, slow to react, nearly cost them a result.
Poly played sloppy defense in the box before halftime and allowed a goal. Valley View played the ball into the box on the run of play, and after an initial shot by a teammate, Eagles MF Jason Goicochea shot, retrieved his own rebounded and then hit it past Poly keeper Tony Huerta.
The Bears, awoken, showed some inspired play early in the second half, and MF Julio Mendez tied the match in the first 10 minutes. But coach Alex Figueroa’s team produced only two more scoring chances afterward as the emphasis was clearly on getting back with numbers on defense.
Valley View’s timid captain, F Miguel Hernandez (2 goals in 3 matches), attacked Poly’s back line repeatedly but was held without a goal for the first time this season. He was erratic, with errant passes one moment and darting runs and blistering shots the next. He had 15 second-half touches but just three second-half shots, only one of which was on goal. He completed just 2 of 6 pass attempts. He was, from all estimations, inaccurate.
Eagles F Alex Turkson played with flair in the first half, and until receiving a yellow card for tripping. He was given space by Poly defenders because of his on-the-ball moves and feinting ability but got a little out of control after a call went against him once or twice.
Poly’s midfield was all over the place. The Bears lost their shape a number of times and it was hard to tell if they were coming or going. Sophomore MF Rey Gomez was a bright spot. He’s a big, physical player who played some passes into tight spaces. He was the best player on the field for a stretch in the second half.
For a match featuring the Inland Area’s No. 1 (Poly) and No. 3 (Valley View) teams, it wasn’t much to remember. Mostly a lot of kicking the shite out of one another in the middle of the field.
QUOTES FORTHCOMING FROM:
John Kush, Moreno Valley Valley View coach
Alex Figueroa, Riverside Poly coach
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 