TeWinkle holds firm

Bryce Alderton

TeWinkle goalkeeper Michael Liedtke exemplified what his coach said

had carried this boys fifth- and sixth-grade soccer team to the brink

of the quarterfinals in the gold division of the Daily Pilot Cup.

He stood his ground.

Liedtke made four saves and teammate Miguel Villafuerte scored two

goals to lead TeWinkle to a 2-1 victory over Andersen in one of three

wild-card games to determine which two teams advanced to today’s

quarterfinals.

Despite the effort, TeWinkle’s point total was one less than

either Harbor Day or Carden Hall, which both moved on.

TeWinkle lost to Killybrooke, 3-2, Thursday, but Coach George

Gutierrez said his team controlled the tempo in that game, much the

same way Friday’s contest unfolded.

“The kids did awesome,” Gutierrez said. “[Liedtke] is a strong

goalkeeper and the strength lies in our defense and forwards. We were

able to rotate lots of players on defense.”

Ironically it was the TeWinkle defense that gave the Andersen

Dolphins their only goal, with two minutes remaining.

A free kick from 20 yards out landed inside the six-yard box and

deflected off a TeWinkle defender into the net.

A TeWinkle defender, already beat on a break, pushed Andersen’s

Parker Stone in the back to set up the kick.

Andersen, though, didn’t have enough time to ride any hint of

momentum before the whistle sounded.

The Dolphins had their chances to tie in the second half.

Brian Ford, up from his sweeper spot, burst around the midfielders

before steering near the top of the 18-yard box, where he sent a shot

that made Liedtke dive to his right near the far post to make the

stop.

Ford later got loose for another break and drew a penalty shot

when he was tripped from behind in the 18-yard box.

Ford’s ensuing blast hit the crossbar and TeWinkle quickly

countered with a 4-on-0 break.

Ricky Gomez sent a bullet from about 10 yards out that Andersen

goalkeeper Emery Molnar knocked down with both hands, causing a

momentary sigh of relief from the Andersen crowd.

But seconds later TeWinkle forced a corner kick that Villafuerte

booted inside the left post for a 2-0 lead.

Andersen plugged along, but just couldn’t chisel through a tight

TeWinkle defense.

Andersen’s midfielders and defenders sent clearing passes to

speedy Randall Stone along one sideline while Parker Stone patrolled

the opposite side of the field.

In one second-half transition, Nelson broke past the defense as a

clearing pass headed his way, but the official whistled Andersen for

offsides.

Andersen defenders Evan Dean and Beau Attyah made subsequent

steals to ignite attacks, but TeWinkle stopped those charges.

TeWinkle forwards Gomez, Villafuerte and Isael Villafana set up

numerous sets, but Andersen’s defense held strong with Max Muelhauser

creating turnovers.

Andersen Coach Dan Ford barked praised his team’s collective

effort.

“It is the only opportunity all year for these kids to represent

their school,” Ford said.