Viking Soccer Blanks Madison; Comes Back to Defeat Mountain Heritage

The Avery Vikings were schedule to play two matches last week in Western Highlands Conference action. Avery’s matchup at Polk County early in the week was postponed due to the heavy rains, but the team made the most of the day off.

“The time off gave us an opportunity to heal and get over sickness, but the weather wasn’t good, so one of those days was a no practice day,” Avery head soccer coach Tom Evaul said. “We did some talking and going over things we needed to work on for the remainder of the season. I believe the time was well worth what we got out of it.”

The Vikings finally returned to the pitch on Wednesday, hosting the Madison Patriots. Avery was strong offensively from the outset and was too much for an overmatched Madison team, winning the conference affair by a 3-0 final score. Avery netted its first goal in the 12^th minute of the match, when Daniel Huff executed a throw-in from the five-yard line to the front of the Patriot net. Teammate Jorge Arreola was in the right place at the right time as the keeper mishandled the ball. Jorge pushed the ball into goal to spot Avery the one-goal advantage.

Huff, playing in only his second game since returning from a knee injury, has impacted the Avery club, affording them the ability to stretch the playbook and substitution options.

“We have played well with Daniel out of commission, but it is always good to have a player of his intensity and drive on the field,” Coach Evaul said. “It also gives us a little more depth and options on how to play the field.”

Avery further added to its lead in the 36^th minute as a cross by Arreola was again mishandled by the Patriot net minder. Zack Strange punched the ball into the net to give the Big Red a 2-0 halftime edge.

The Vikings closed out the scoring when Kyle Griewisch scored off an assist from Isauro Estrada in the 55^th minute. “We knew that Madison was going to be tough, they always are against Avery. Even in years when things aren’t going good for them, they still give Avery a run for its money. We also knew that they have only won two games and were going to come at us hungry for a win,” Coach Evaul said. “I told the guys, “Whoever was the hungriest for a win was going to come out on top.” I also told them that we couldn't have anymore lapses of extended poor play: not now, not anymore this season...We came out fired up and took our game right to them.”

Avery finished with 24 shots on goal to Madison’s ten. Viking keeper Morgan Bounds had five saves in the win, while Avery enjoyed an 8-2 corner kick advantage. “Our offense pretty much did its job of keeping the pressure on their defense, and our defense played probably its best game of the year thus far,” Coach Evaul said. “The players know they can play at any level they so choose. The majority of the guys are gaining more and more confidence not only in them, but also with the team, which is very important.

Avery traveled to Burnsville to take on the Mountain Heritage Cougars in a conference matchup. Avery struggled to contend with the Cougars, as Heritage tallied three goals in the first half of play.

Something said at intermission must have jolted the Vikings team, however. Within a 13-minute stretch to start the second half, Avery had tallied three goals to tie the match. Later in the half the Vikings found the way to score a fourth goal to take the narrow 4-3 edge.

Mountain Heritage was given a golden opportunity to tie the match on a foul in the box, giving the Cougars a penalty kick. Avery keeper Morgan Bounds rose to the occasion, however, and blocked the shot away to preserve and lead and eventual one-goal win. The Vikings will return to action Wednesday against Mitchell