e-Edition
Sign up for email newsletters
Sign up for email newsletters
e-Edition
Trending:
It was Senior Night at Vanden High School, but Will C. Wood goalkeeper Silvia Rodriguez wasn’t allowing any celebrating.
Rodriguez posted three big saves in the final two minutes — including one in the final seconds— in the Wildcats’ 1-0 blanking of host Vanden in Monticello Empire League girls soccer action.
With the clock stopped at two minutes and only officials keeping time, Vanden’s Amaris Marquez let a shot go from about 15 yards out. Rodriguez caught it in the air and seconds later the officials blew the whistle to signify the end of the game.
“It was the last play and very nerve-wracking,” Rodriguez said, with a laugh. “But I’m trying to keep my cool and make sure the team is calm and collected and not too antsy. I wanted to make sure we all needed to feel we needed to rush. We wanted to control everything and be calm.”
With the save, the lone goal from Alyvia Vojkufka in the 45th minute held up. She scored on a rebound after a Hailey Ramirez shot hit the post.
“I saw my teammate (Ramirez) go up to take a shot and every time my teammates take a shot, I always follow it,” Vojkufka said. “I swore it was going in but it hit the lucky post. So I saw it come to me and I was all, ‘Please don’t choke, please don’t choke’ but I made it.”
Wood’s defense shined, led by Rodriguez directing the back row.
“I had to keep my eyes open and put myself in the view of my defenders and process what they’re going through, what they’re thinking and what they might think and what their next move is,” Rodriguez said. “Then I have to put myself in position where I can help them and help the rest of my teammates and make sure we’re all organized and they know that I have their back.”
Vanden defeated Wood at Wood earlier in the season 2-1, but some changes were made since that contest.
“I think the formation was really good since we switched it up,” Vojkufka said. “We switched up the midfield and had more of an offense play and movement. So that was better.”
Rodriguez agreed.
“Since that game we’ve grown a lot,” Rodriguez said. “Individually we worked hard so on the next round, the next game we were ready to get a win.”
Vanden head coach Anna Chavez said the game Thursday night and the one from about three weeks ago were almost the same — only this time the Vikings’ chances didn’t end up in the back of the net.
“I think both teams did the same. We didn’t play any different,” Chavez said. “I think we just go unlucky. We had quite a few opportunities and we just couldn’t finish it, and Wood finished their chances. It’s just the luck of the game.”
Chavez said although the season has been a struggle with a 3-9 overall record and 1-6 mark in the Monticello Empire League, she thought her five seniors played well and showed a lot of growth.
“I think all season we’ve been playing well, it just hasn’t been in our favor,” Chavez said with a laugh. “But I’m proud of the seniors. They went from not necessarily starting to playing 80-minute games. The fact they can do that and be confident is great. Their will to want to grow is great, because you can’t teach effort. If they have that effort and want, then I’m going to give them everything I have as a coach.”
Copyright © 2025 MediaNews Group
