(We)ndell are the champions
WENDELL, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — “We are the champions my friends.” The Queen classic is music to the ears of the Wendell Trojans boys soccer team after winning the 4A state championship over the weekend.
Talk to any student athlete who has played high school sports and the goal is usually the same: win a state championship.
The Wendell Trojans boys soccer team is living that dream after defeating Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy 1-0 this past Saturday.
While this feat is not easy to accomplish, it’s one that senior striker Julian Ponce isn’t taking for granted.
“It means a lot like finishing the season strong on a win, especially, especially state trophy for first place. That means a lot,” said Ponce.
The Trojans dealt with some adversity leading up to the state tournament losing the district championship, but head coach Felipe Paniagua says that may have been the best thing for his team.
“That loss really brought the best out of them, you know, they got the job done against the Gooding (in the state play-in). Then they went into the tournament, thinking that they could be beat so they had to work a little harder,” Paniagua said.
In the state tournament, Wendell won the first round 5-3 over Weiser. Then went on to win each of the next two games 1-0, which included the title match.
The goal scorer in both of those final games was junior midfielder Cesar Muralles, and he talked about scoring some of the biggest goals in Wendell Trojans history.
“That’s huge. I didn’t expect to score, but I scored both of the winning ones. I’m very happy to win this trophy for the team. (When I scored in the final) I didn’t think it was real. I was just really happy, I like, stood in shock. I didn’t really react,” Muralles said.
This is the Trojans first championship since 2014 and Coach Paniagua talked about this group overall.
“I’ve been with them since they were seventh graders. So I’ve been around them for like, at least five, six years now. And you know, it’s been a great year, to win it at this time...it’s about time honestly,” Paniagua said.
And as the only senior moving on from this team, Ponce has high expectations for next season as well.
“I think they go back to back. If I was the only senior on a team that just won, it’s not like they’re losing many, it’s just one senior. I contributed, but they did everything,” Ponce said.
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