West High Soccer Center

YAPELLI AND LEE NOT ENOUGH FOR WEST TO WIN
TIE IS DISAPPOINTING BUT KEEPS TEAMS LOWER IN THE STANDINGS FROM GAINING GROUND
On a play that started with Justin Yapelli seeing the seam in the opponent's defense, West took the early lead against Mira Costa. Senior John Lee took the pass and scored in the 12th minute of the game with a left footed blast from 25 yards that screamed past the Costa keeper before he could even react. The lead held up until late in the game when one of the many freekicks the Mustangs sent directly into the penalty box found the ground. Before the ball could be cleared, it was in the goal and the game was tied.

In overtime, it was Justin's goal who gave West their second lead of the game. The senior forward made his way through the opponent's defensive line and easily slotted the ball past the keeper. Unfortunately, another flurry of freekicks sent by the visitors to the box found an unmarked player on one of them and the game was tied. While Costa rushed off the field looking like they were elated with the tie, it was a disappointing result for West. On the flip side of it, however, the outcome keeps the teams lower in the league standings from gaining ground and the Warriors still control their own destiny in the playoff race. With four to go it is up to them what the future brings.

COLIN IN OVERTIME GETS THE GAME-WINNER
WARRIORS GET KEY WIN IN LAST GAME OF THE FIRST HALF OF LEAGUE
Peninsula may have lost all four of their previous games in league, but each was a 1-0 result. Going into the game, West knew they were going to be facing a tough opponent. Fortunately the Warriors had what it took to get the win. Justin Yapelli's early goal gave the home team a lead that held up until halfway through the second half. While West had several chances to win the game in regulation, they could not capitalize. Overtime

It only took three mintues before the Warriors grabbed the lead as Daniel Colin broke through Peninsula's back line and powered a shot past the keeper. It looked like the ball was going to cross the endline before the senior could reach it for his shot, but pure determination got him there and the Warriors rode his goal to the win. The victory gives West a 2-2-1 record in the Bay League and a 12-3-3 record overall.

BALANCED ATTACK LEADS TO WEST WIN
FOUR DIFFERENT GOALSCORERS KEY IN VICTORY OVER BUENA HIGH
West was relentless on their attack and came away with a 4-1 win over Buena on the third day of the South Tournament. Senior midfielder, Matt Adachi got the team started with a goal in the 21st minute. A blast from Daniel Colin was too much for the goalie to handle and Matt was perfectly positioned to take advantage of the rebound. Then, off the kickoff, the Warriors quickly and relentlessly pursued the back-passes made by the Bulldogs until Guy Rappleyea was in position to pressure the opposing centerback into a bad decision and a turnover. A ball from John Lee over to Steven Ingraham and the lead was doubled in less than 10 seconds of actual time while the ball was in play.

In the second half, West continued their attack. Guy's work rate earned him another assist as he drew the defense to the near post and played a ball across the face of the goal for an easy tap in by a well positioned Miles Dawson. Closing out the scoring was Scott McGraw. A shot by Steven Marsella rebounded out to the left of the goal and the freshman lefty was there to give the game its final score.

The only blemish on the day was the goal scored by the opponents from the Ventura area. After nine games, the Warriors have only relinquished seven goals but have only recorded two shutouts for the season. A mental lapse in the back line gave Buena the opportunity to score and they capitalized. Fortunately, the team's overall performance more than overcame the one goal allowed and the team now faces a Bay League opponent - either Mira Costa or Peninsula - in the consolation final at 12:30 on Thursday, Dec. 22.

WARRIORS ROLL
SAMAAN STRIKES TWICE AS WEST WINS 3-1
Lesson learned? A slow start just a day earlier prevented West from prevailing in its game against El Segundo. Against Bishop Montgomery, the Warriors took a different approach with their game face on from the moment they laced up their boots. It paid off in a big way as only eight minutes into the game Julian Samaan blasted a shot past the Knights keeper to give his team a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later Daniel Colin made a strong run down the left side of the field; powering himself through players and into the box. From a sharp angle the senior centerback rocketed his shot into the net to double the lead. Julian scored his second goal of the night with another powerful shot from the top of the box to close out the scoring for the first half.

In the second half, the attack for West became a bit more disjointed and Bishop Montgomery capitalized. With the ball more in their attack, the Knights were able to get one goal back, but that was the extent of it. The Warriors, while their offense was not in synch as much as the first half, their defense locked down the rest of the way and the team walked away with a 3-1 win.