By WALKER HAYNES On Friday, January 3rd, Maranatha hosted Woodcrest Christian in the final match before league play begins. From the opening whistle, Maranatha went to work, moving the ball deftly around the Woodcrest defense, probing for an opening. Persistence was rewarded for the Minutemen late in the first half when Josiah Topalian connected with […]
By WALKER HAYNES
On Friday, January 3rd, Maranatha hosted Woodcrest Christian in the final match before league play begins. From the opening whistle, Maranatha went to work, moving the ball deftly around the Woodcrest defense, probing for an opening. Persistence was rewarded for the Minutemen late in the first half when Josiah Topalian connected with striker Matthew Morales who powered a shot to the near post, past the Royals goalkeeper.
That goal would prove to be the game winner, as the Maranatha defense stayed strong, and the offense went hunting for insurance goals. After the restart, Maranatha added two more to the tally; the first was off a Ryan Firestone free kick that found the head of Morales who neatly flicked the ball over the outstretched hand of the Woodcrest keeper and into the back of the net.
The third goal came in the closing minutes of the game with a buildup from John Hutto in the midfield to Whit Wilder on the wing. Wilder’s cross in was low, and found Trey Topalian, whose laser strike to the back post gave the keeper no chance at a save. The three-nil win for the Minutemen earned keeper Nicky Burrows his second clean sheet of the season. Maranatha opens league play on Tuesday, January 7th at home against Valley Christian/Cerritos. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.
Maranatha High School, 169 S. St. John Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 817-4000 or visit www.maranatha-hs.org.
