By Gene Helfman

Special to the Weekly

Soccer powerhouse Grace Academy brought their 7-3 record to Lopez on Oct. 10 to face the 1-8 Lobos. The final outcome wasn’t a surprise, but the score was indicative of just how far the Lopez soccer program has come.

Grace won 5-0, but this was the Lobos’ best showing against Grace in many years. Lopez held Grace scoreless through most of the first half, which ended at 3-0. Much of the second half was played on the Grace end of the field and Grace added only two more goals.

“The Eagles have often scored in double digits against us in the past,” said coach Shawn Westervelt afterwards, while telling the team how proud he was of their performance.  “You guys played hard and well right up to the end.”

Goalie Gavin Goodrich made save after save, and none of the Grace goals were cheap.

Goodrich was aided by heads up defensive efforts, especially from Belgian exchange student Louis Adriaens at fullback. Lopez offense was led by senior forward Cosmos Cordova who had several well-aimed shots-on-goal that were stopped by an impressive Eagles goalie.

Lopez had a decisive 6-2 win against Shoreline Christian on Sept. 25, and played Cedar Park to a nil-nil tie five days later, only to lose in the overtime shootout. The Lobos have three remaining home matches, Oct. 17 against Providence, Oct. 27 versus San Juan, and Oct 29 against LaConner.