Early goal the difference in Bearcats’ league victory

Uzi Lopez Cruz found the back of the net in the third minute, ending a three-match losing streak to give the W.F. West High School boys soccer team a 1-0 triumph over Shelton at home on Tuesday night.

It also is the first match since a 2-1 victory over Black Hills two weeks ago where the Bearcats (6-7, 5-3 EvCo) scored. The back line spurred by Gabriel Burger, Riley Carter and Yaden Quezada kept Shelton off the scoreboard. Goalkeeper Noel Montengero registered his second clean sheet against the Highclimbers and fourth this season.

“We changed some things around tonight and I thought helped us create some good chances in (the) attack,” W.F. West head coach Allen Anderson said. “Proud to see the guys respond after a tough week.”

The Bearcats close the regular season with two home games against their South Thurston County rivals, starting with Black Hills on Friday night.