URL: http://www.gazetteextra.com/20150828/parker_soccer_battles_low_numbers_falls_to_0_2

Parker soccer battles low numbers, falls to 0-2

JANESVILLE--Janesville Parker’s boys soccer program is building toward the future.

The Vikings have only three seniors on this year’s roster, and coach Abilio Monteiro knows the 2015 season could be a struggle.

Parker lost a 3-0 nonconference game to Union Grove on Thursday night to fall to 0-2-0.

“We’re very short on numbers and don’t even have a junior varsity team yet,” Monteiro said. “I’m hoping when school starts that we might get a few more out.

“And we’re very young. But the boys are playing hard, and that’s all we can ask of them.”

Union Grove (2-0-0) dominated play against Parker. The Broncos kept the ball in their offensive end for the majority of the game and would’ve scored two or three more goals if not for the stellar play of Parker goalkeeper David Olvera. The sophomore finished with 14 saves, including four on point-blank shots.

With the game scoreless midway through the first half, C.J. Maurer got the Broncos on the board with a header off a corner kick at 24:23. Kane Talley picked up an assist on the play.

Parker generated little offensively the entire game but stayed close thanks to the play of Olvera.

“David’s going to do a nice job for us,” Monteiro said. “He’s very capable.”

Union Grove pushed the lead to 2-0 at 49:31 on Max Wagner’s unassisted goal. The junior picked up a loose ball when Parker failed to clear its end and rifled a shot past Olvera.

Colton Anderson concluded the scoring at 82:30 on an assist from Dylan Rodriguez.

Despite the loss, Monteiro is trying to remain upbeat as the program battles a numbers problem.

“We’ve got some young kids that I really have a lot of hope for,” Monteiro said. “Cesar Garcia and Allan Garcia are both sophomores that I expect to do well.

“And senior Filemon Perez is a captain and one of our leaders on defense.”

Parker hosts Wisconsin Heights in another nonconference game Tuesday night.