The W.F. West boys soccer team overcame a two-goal halftime deficit on Tuesday, tying the game in the second half before topping Shelton in penalty kicks.
“I’m really proud of their second half performance,” W.F. West coach Allen Anderson said. “I’m proud of the guys for how they came together and played really well as a team.”
Shelton came out firing early, and 25 minutes in, Luis Olivas and Jendri Carrillo scored just seconds apart to give the Highclimbers the 2-0 lead.
After regrouping at halftime, the Bearcats (1-1) played better in the second half, and in the 50th minute, Uzi Lopez Cruz cut the deficit in half, burying a pass from Jeremy Thomspon.
Five minutes later, Rafael Mendez connected off a pass from Adrian Jaimes to tie the game.
In the shootout, seven shooters went to the spot, and six Bearcats connected. Up 6-5, a Highclimber took their seventh shot, and Cayden Page made a diving stop to his left to seal the win.
Anderson was thrilled with the way his team responded, noting that this type of win can bring a team together and propel them forward into the bulk of their season.
“This is a young team,” Anderson said. “We’re still learning how to play together … Hopefully, that’s a good stepping stone.”
W.F. West will head to Kelso on Wednesday to face the Hilanders.
