High school soccer players get taste of success

Tracye Dethero

West Valley and Anderson’s varsity soccer teams had their first taste of success for the season at the Anderson Cubs “Cub Classic” soccer tournament on Friday Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Redding Soccer Park.

The Eagles girls played three games, earning themselves a second place spot. T

They won 5-0 over Central Valley on Friday night, and eneded with a 2-2 tie against Lassen during their first game on Saturday. Later that night, the West Valley girls soccer team locked up their final win over Orland, 5-0. Lead scorers for the girls team were Cassie DeBonnis, Kelsie Heffner Taylor McNeeley, Taylor Nedham, Paige Kelly and Hannah Fish.

The West Valley boys soccer team also participated in the tournament, placing third in their division with two wins and a tie. All three of their games were played on Saturday Dec. 6. The Eagles first game against Anderson resulted in a 2-2 tie. Both goals were scored by junior Ray Close.

The team won their second game of the day against Yreka 4-1. Two of the four goals were scored by junior Ray Close. Jake Elledge and Jeorge Partida each scored a goal as well.

The West Valley boy’s soccer team’s third and final game of the tournament ended in a close 2-1 loss over Orland. The Eagles lone goal was scored by Close. Orland was a tough opponent for West Valley. Earlier in the day the Orland boys team walked away with two big wins over Central Valley and Lassen, 12-0 and 10-0 respectively.

Participating soccer players thought Anderson Cubs put on a great tournament. It was the first annual Cub Classic Soccer Tournament.

The Anderson boys and the Anderson girls team both placed fourth in the event. with the boys tying West Valley in their first game 2-2, winning 5-0 against Central Valley in their second game and losing to Lassen in their third game 3-0.

The Anderson girls teams played against Corning on Friday night. The outcome of the game was not announced. Their second game was played on Saturday against St. Vincent, when they suffered a 6-0 loss. That afternoon, the Cubs girls won their final tournament game against Orland 1-0.

The final results of the tournament were:

Varsity Boys — First place, Orland; second place, Lassen; and third place, West Valley.

Varsity Girls — First place: St. Vincent - St. Patrick; second place, West Valley; and third place, Lassen.