Wiesbaden senior Isaiah Crockett finishes a header for a goal during a game against Vilseck on May 4, 2024, in Wiesbaden, Germany. It was one of three goals Crockett scored during the game. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany – It was the last chance for the Wiesbaden boys soccer team to display its talents in front of a home crowd. And the Warriors put on quite a show Saturday.
Isaiah Crockett and Jaden Ruiz each scored hat tricks as Wiesbaden kept Vilseck winless on the season with a 7-0 victory in the Warriors’ home finale. Wiesbaden finishes the regular season at Kaiserslautern next weekend before opening up the DODEA-Europe championships in the KMC a week later.
Coming off a non-division loss to Black Forest Academy, Wiesbaden wanted to secure a division win to potentially give itself a better draw – and a bit of confidence – heading into the championships.
“We didn’t want to feel the feeling of a loss again, so we just came into this game to fight to win,” Crockett, a senior, said.
Wiesbaden struck fast and often, starting its scoring rally with a goal from Brady Blake in the first seven minutes.
“We played the ball from the back, found our chances and made them,” said Ruiz, a sophomore striker.
The Warriors maintained possession and found an abundance of chances throughout the first half.
Crockett came away with his first goals of the season after headers in the 12th and 34th minutes. A strong kick finished off the hat trick shortly before halftime.
The story was much the same in the second half, with Ruiz taking over lead scoring duties from Crockett. Vilseck held onto possession more than it had, but offensive bursts from the Warriors supported Ruiz goals in the 53rd, 62nd, and 67th minutes of play.
The Falcons did appear to have a late goal at 75 minutes, but the play was called back due to a stray ball lying on the field.
Saturday’s score and winless record aside, Vilseck senior and team captain Christopher Wissemann said he’s proud of the young Falcon team and the progress they’ve made. Only a few Falcons have varsity-level experience and Wissemann said it’s challenging to rise to that level of play quickly.
“It’s the best we’ve played all season,” Wissemann said. “We’re gonna focus a little bit more on playing as a team, making sure we stay together as a unit, working together on offense and defense on and off the ball, just making sure we’re staying connected.”
Vilseck goalie Jackson Kerin dives for a save during a game against Wiesbaden on May 4, 2024, in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden senior Nicholas Truchon shoots on goal against Vilseck during a game in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden senior Jacob Goodman dribbles the ball around Vilseck sophomore Mason Money during a game in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden sophomore Jaden Ruiz works the ball past Vilseck junior Chase Maverick during a game in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, 2024. Ruiz scored a hat-trick during the game. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Girls
The girls’ match in the afternoon was a much closer contest than the boys. But the result was the same after the Warriors came away with a 1-0 victory.
Wiesbaden aggressively pushed the ball downfield early on, but Vilseck quickly slowed the tempo with a strong defensive display from the midfield and defensive back junior Phoebe-Sue Dean.
Despite keeping the ball on the opponent’s side of the pitch for most of the first half, the Warriors couldn’t break through the Falcons’ defensive bulwark.
Wiesbaden’s Loren Venton eventually ended the stalemate with a decisive shot on goal inside the box to score in the 32nd minute.
The second half brought much of the same with a battle for ball possession in the midfield. Both teams managed a few offensive flashes, but neither could effectively capitalize on the few scoring chances.
The Warriors delivered a barrage of shots on goal late in the contest, but once again, the Falcons’ tenacious defense and smart play from freshman goalkeeper Kaiden Holloway held Wiesbaden at bay.
Second-year coach Kait Lunardini said she’s excited for what’s to come with the young Falcon squad, who is over 70% underclassmen.
“We may be the only school in Division I, and I would venture to say the only school in DODEA, with no seniors,” Lunardini said. “My 9th and 10th graders, they just out hustle the rest. They want it, they’re hungry, they fight for playing time, and we’re really trying to build the program.”
She said Vilseck is already far ahead of last year’s winless and last-place finish.
“They’ve scored more goals this season than, I think, in the last four combined,” Lunardini said. “To hold Wiesbaden to one goal is epic. That’s huge for the program. We’re very proud of them.”
Wiesbaden's Hailey Stelker defends against Vilseck freshman Khloe Tokash during a game in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck sophomore Ana Switala works the ball downfield during a game against Wiesbaden on May 4, 2024, in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck junior Phoebe-Sue Dean clears the ball away from Wiesbaden's Rylee Ashcraft during a game in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Vilseck players form a wall to defend against a free kick from Wiesbaden's Sophia St. Laurent during a game in Wiesbaden, Germany, on May 4, 2024. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Wiesbaden's Rylee Ashcraft shoots on goal during a game against Vilseck on May 4, 2024, in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
