Wolverines pounce at half

First-place was on the line Saturday for a pair of local undefeated girls’ Under-12 Bronze Division teams out of Cal South Club Soccer, and it was the Wolfpack Wolverines who emerged victorious following a 5-1 victory over the Extreme Heat.

Both teams were 4-0 entering the showdown at Star View School in Midway City.

Wolfpack struck first, as the passing of midfielders Kelsea Arenado, Caitlin Bartusick, Amanda Stark and Kelsey Wetzstein moved the ball downfield.

A corner kick by Wetzstein crossed in front of the net and when the Heat goalie couldn’t grab the ball, Wolfpack defender Taylor Oliver punched in a goal.

Wolfpack upped its lead to 2-0 after a Heat penalty gave the Wolverines an indirect kick from the Heat 20-yard line.

Wetzstein sent the ball right past the Heat wall and buried it into the left-corner of the net.

The Heat narrowed their deficit to just a single goal by scoring on a rebound shot after Wolfpack goalie Abby O’Toole had knocked down an indirect kick.

The goal was the first given up by the Wolverines in five matches.

At the 15-minute mark, a powerful kick by Caitlin Bartusick hit the top crossbar of the goal and dropped down just behind the line for the next Wolfpack goal, making it 3-1.

Minutes later, Wetzstein’s corner kick in front of the goal hit a Heat defender, but teammate Kaela Blanco was there to score and up the Wolverines’ lead to 4-1 at the half.

The teams battled through a scoreless second half until Valerie Stark netted the final goal late in the game.

Keana Collier, who played in goal during the second half for Wolfpack, had several diving saves.

Defenders Laney Ehlers and Taylor Oliver, stopper Katie Lespier, forwards Erika Faria, Skylar Wilson and Shelle Zito and midfielder Brittney Stevens, all made key contributions.

“This was a true team effort,” Wolfpack Coach Scott Wilson said. “Every player on this team worked hard for this win, and I’m proud of all of them.”