Soccer Postgame: Walnut wins thriller in OT
WALNUT - Walnut High midfielder Krissy Slusser had never scored off a header in high school, and couldn't remember ever finishing one that way.
She won't forget this one.
After a tiring afternoon of rain and back-and-forth action, Slusser scored the most dramatic of goals, heading home Megan Leu's cross with 45 seconds left in double overtime to lift the Mustangs to a 1-0 victory over visiting South Hills on Thursday.
The goal was a dagger for the Huskies (11-8-1, 5-2), who watched the Mustangs (14-4-2, 7-0) celebrate another San Antonio League title.
"It's heartbreaking," Huskies coach Scott Mocabee said. "It's the second time in a row we put ourselves in a spot to possibly win. They're a good team, I can't say we should have or would have won. But you put yourself in spots to win, we get chances, then you come up short and lose like that. It's tough to swallow."
Mustangs assistant Tosha Davda joked with Slusser about finishing with her head, but she was all smiles after knocking home her team-leading 12th goal of the season.
"We just kept fighting," Slusser said. "I don't know how to describe putting that in, I just know it feels great. It was a great cross and I didn't think about it, I just hit it hard and it was perfect."
South Hills dominated the first half, but finishing was a problem with defenders Nikkie McKee, Helena Simich, Marissa Woods and Leu constantly clearing through balls and keeping Huskies forward Natalie Maxey in check.
The Huskies were awarded a free kick at the top of the penalty area early in the second half, but couldn't get a clear shot on frame.
Huskies freshman Mayra Almazan created havoc late, and it nearly paid off when her left-footed shot in the 56th minute narrowly missed wide. Maxey had her chance in the 65th minute, sending a 35-yard shot barely over the crossbar.
In the first OT, Slusser's cross to Erika Garay was headed just over the bar. Minutes later, South Hills' Arianna Vaughn missed a shot at the near post.
Finally, in the 100th minute, Slusser finished it.
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Can anyone tell me how the Nogales Girls are doing? Standout players?
Krissy,
Great job we are all so proud of you!
WHY DOES EVERYONE THINKS WALNUT IS A ONE GIRL TEAM,HAVE U NOT SEEN THOSE GIRLS ON DEFENSE THEY ARE THE BEST ATTACKING DEFENSE IN THE VALLEY AND THAT IS WHY THEY WIN.NEXT TIME U SEE THEM PLAY LOOK AT THERE SWEEPER AND THERE FULLBACKS,THEY ARE FAST,QUICK AND HELP EACH OTHER LIKE NO OTHER TEAM DOES.
Fan
Walnut has taking league champ this year so far in Girls Tennis, Co Champ with SH in Volleyball, and Boys Waterpolo. They also will be league Champ in Girls Soccer and Girls basketball.
Final Score
Bishop Amat 2
La Salle 1
Well done ladies
Best of luck next week.
I actually do think that losing Krissy will have a bigger effect than Martin & Ramos did. Oh well, only time will tell.
Let's get ready for the playoffs.
Unfortunately Walnut will not have THAT GIRL next year...we're gonna miss you Krissy!!
Walnut does it again great job. South Hills has the IT GIRL, Walnut has THAT GIRL, Krissy Slusser.
Fred,
Make your way over to Charter Oak on Tuesday to cover the big LA v. CO girls soccer game. Whoever wins that game is in the driver seat for league! Last time they played they tied 1-1! Should be a BATTLE! Don't miss it!
Fred loves covina? C'mon walnut fans! well i actually feel them on this one because that the one sport they ever do good in is girls soccer. get real walnut fans.
Thanks diogenes. I really didn’t know, but I did happen to see the bus's pull out of the parking lot empty yesterday at Amat, so I thought perhaps they had canceled their game that day (if there was one).
Do they play soccer in the rain? At Los Altos they did. Driving rain and a muddy field. LA tied with Diamond Ranch 1-l on a goal by Loren Velasquez. 0-0 hotly contested OT. Once again DR brought a very rough, physical game but only managed about 3 shots on goal compared to LA's 12. Conquerors in tough at Charter Oak's high scoring team Tueday and end league play at home with Wilson on Thursday. Wins or ties earn LA the league title.
Congratulations walnut girls and to Krissy!
Walnut Insider is correct, it takes a "team" not just one "it" girl to win a soccer match.
I would like to also acknowledge Natalie Maxey. Although you and your team didn't win league, you definately bring "talent" and raise the level of competition to our HS soccer fields. You an awesome player to watch. Best of luck your senior year!
I just gotta say ...
Na na na na, na na na na, HEY HEY HEY, goodbye
Na na na na, na na na na, HEY HEY HEY, goodbye
THWCCD
Forgot to add my congratulations to Krissy as well. I have had the pleasure of getting to know her over the past 3 years and she is a great kid. Walnut will really miss her. I am very happy that she finally got a little recognition for all of her hard work.
fan,
I won't jump on the "Fred loves Covina" band wagon. I understand why he wouldn't put Walnut #1 because of the loss of key seniors (Ramos & Martin), that's understandable. The part I had a problem was that he was riding all of S.H.'s future on a junior, that was the main argument, South Hills had the "it" girl.
Walnut was returning Krissy Slusser, a senior, they won another league title, and made it to the semi finals.
I won't keep talking about the pre-season ranking again, it's nice to sit back and know what will happen and just smile. Congratulations again to Walnut.
By the way, I love this rivalry between S.H. and Walnut and who knows they might meet up again in the playoffs.
Krissy! Great Job!
Walnut Insider,
South Hills Ranked #1....By Fred no way really? Of course they were ranked #1 their from COVINA Fred loves COVINA if your from Covina your ranked #1 no matter what! Covina has the best athletes around just ask Fred! Right Fred? Go Mustangs!
Damien has 28 straight Debate League Championships and is currently ranked No.1 in the nation!
With all those rich blue blood powerhouse schools back East little old Damien is #1
Congrats to Mr. Ballingall and the other Damien Debate staff...FfFFFIIIIIOOOOOORRRRIIIIII !!!!!!!
12 straight league titles is very impressive. good job.
Congrats to Walnut girls! I just wish I could figure out why we aren't ranked #1 in CIF polls. Everyone knows we're the "best in the valley"
Honestly, I can tell you that I do not follow soccer much, so maybe "hs school soccer fan" answered my question before I got a chance to ask it.
Do they play soccer in the rain like football? And how long do they play if it gets real ugly?
Also, I don't know about you folks, but those two entries just below me here, seemed to be a bit contradictory at first reading, in that BP beats San Dimas 10-0, yet San Dimas wins 4-0?
How's that again ???
But then the light bulb went on, and I noticed that the first one, was a posting of the score of the girl’s soccer game against the same school!
Man, im getting old, just like Mr Wallace.
BOYS SOCCER
B.P. 10 SAN DIMAS 0
REALLY AND IT WAS 8-0 AT HALF. NOT REALLY TOO MUCH TO SAY HERE EXCEPT, MY COUSIN FINALLY GOT TO PLAY ALITTLE..
GO BRAVES !!!!
San Dimas 4 Baldwin Park 0 - San Dimas is now 8-0 and they really looked great in the rain today. Fred, remind me who you thought would dominate VVL?
Congratulations to Walnut's girls soccer team. I seem to remember the 1st poll that had S.H. #1 ahead of Walnut #2. I questioned it then, and said let the season play out. It has and once again Walnut came out on top.
By the way, SHills looks like you will have to wait another year for that league title.
http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/girls_soccer_so.html#comments
At half time Lasalle 1, Bishop Amat O, in the pouring rain
Great game,Once again WALNUT GIRLS prove that they are the class of the San Antonio League and one of the best in the valley. The girls beat South Hills 1-0 in ovettime to go 7-0 in league play and has yet to give up a GOAL.That gives the 12 straight league TITLES>GO WALNUT.
No whitey, if they're postponed because of rain, I've got my coat.
so if it rains and the schools play the trib stays away, lol what a 3rd rate fishwrap this is
I will be at the Walnut/South Hills game for the first half or so. Wish I could stay and watch it all, but I have a family I must take care of as well.
As for the game itself, Walnuts starters are going to be well rested. From what I have seen and heard from the players themselves, the starters have been playing few minutes the last week or so. That will either mean they are going to be rusty (hope not) or have somewhat fresh legs.