West Valley’s offense struggles to support defense

{photo1]WEST VALLEY — The West Valley varsity boys soccer team has allowed only one goal in each of its three games in a recent stretch, but the offense brought in a lone victory, during that same time frame.

The team scored twice in a 2 – 1 game against Walsh on Tuesday, Oct. 9, while being shut out twice in as many days, following the win.

In the game against the Walsh Eagles, the boys wrapped up a season sweep, despite surrendering the first goal of the game. Patrick Enser and Cole Stanbro tallied for the Wildcats, who improved to 5 – 7 with the win.

Stanbro had an assist, as well, along with Ethan Boberg. Michael Grigsby made 20 saves between the pipes, for his first win of the season. West Valley was 2 – 0 against Walsh, this fall.

West Valley got shut out by the Chautauqua Lake Thunderbirds on Thursday, Oct. 11 1 – 0.

A Class C team, Chautauqua Lake was held scoreless until late in the second half, when the home team scored the game-winning goal.

Stanbro, Boberg, Jared Ras and Derek Wells all had shots on goal, but could not hit the back of the net. Grigsby made 15 saves, but that effort did not earn that player his second win in as many outings.

The Wildcats suffered their second straight 1 – 0 loss, when they played in Hinsdale the following evening. Stanbro, Boberg, Ras and Wells were active on offense again and the team launched 20 shots in the contest, but failed to figure into the scoring. West Valley shut out its opponent in the first half, but the defensive effort was for naught.

Grigsby made 15 saves again and had allowed one goal in each of his past three games. In the previous week, he sported a 3.50 goals-against-average. His team was unable to bury enough scoring chances to pad his win total.

“The Wildcats’ defense has allowed only one goal in each of its past three games,” said Team Coach Kristopher Fuller, after the loss to Hinsdale.

“The shutdown defense from the beginning of the year, led by Alex Fuller, Marcus Enser, Matt Proctor, Collin Proctor and Gaege Morris has returned, in time to be rejuvenated for the playoffs.”

The Wildcats’ record stood at 5 – 9, as the team prepared to host Maple Grove on Tuesday, Oct. 16. West Valley’s varsity boys soccer closed out its regular season schedule on Thursday, Oct. 18 in Ellicottville.