Hungry Wolves Beat Westville 2-0

LINCOLN BOYS GET SCHOOL’S FIRST-EVER SOCCER WIN

MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Lincoln's Andrew West (shown kicking) set up a goal with an assist to Edson Cuevas in the first four minutes to put the Wolves up 1-0 early. Lincoln won the school's first-ever boys soccer victory with a 2-0 victory over Westville, Okla. on Monday, April 9. The second goal by Cameron Brown, Jr., didn't come until only 2:50 remained in the second half.
MARK HUMPHREY ENTERPRISE-LEADER Lincoln's Andrew West (shown kicking) set up a goal with an assist to Edson Cuevas in the first four minutes to put the Wolves up 1-0 early. Lincoln won the school's first-ever boys soccer victory with a 2-0 victory over Westville, Okla. on Monday, April 9. The second goal by Cameron Brown, Jr., didn't come until only 2:50 remained in the second half.

LINCOLN -- An early goal kindled a fire sparking Lincoln boys to play 'hungry like the wolf' as they recorded the school's first-ever victory on Monday, April 9.

Lincoln, which is nicknamed the Wolves, notched a 2-0 victory over border rival Westville, Okla., the first win in its first season competing in soccer at the high school level.

Lincoln's Andrew West set up a goal with an assist to Edson Cuevas in the first four minutes to put the Wolves up 1-0 in the first half. The second goal by Cameron Brown, Jr., didn't come until only 2:50 remained in the second half.

"It's awesome, it's the first win in school history," said a thrilled coach Emilianne Slamons as the Wolves hooted and hollered in the post-game team huddle ignoring a frigid wind on a chilly night. "The kids can't hold their excitement."

The early goal sent a surge of adrenalin among the Wolves and Lincoln's offensive players repeatedly launched an all-out attack on Westville's goal during corner kicks.

"Edson Cuevas scored our first goal in the first four minutes on a great assist from Andrew West," Slamons said. "It was a great start in the first four minutes. Our defense was great. It started the shutout."

The action went back-and-forth as Lincoln and Westville players scrambled to be the first to the ball, taking turns kicking it to the offensive end.

A week prior to the breakthrough win, Lincoln battled Eureka Springs earning a 4-4 tie on March 26. The Highlanders scored 3 first half goals, but the Wolves kept pace with 2 goals of their own. In the second half, Lincoln outscored Eureka Springs 2 goals to 1 to record a 4-4 tie. That success got them thinking win when they took the field against Westville.

"This is the future of Lincoln," Slamons said. "The first win, the kids are going to remember this forever. It's something to look forward to."

Slamons then stepped out of the spotlight and quickly ushered in Paul Crouch, who pioneered Lincoln soccer by starting an after-school program. He began with 67 kids coming out in the fall of 2013. The next year 68 participated in the spring of 2014. The sport soon drew triple digits with numbers increasing to 97 in the fall of 2014 and 103 in the spring of 2015. Crouch says currently nearly 150 kids participate.

"I was ready to step into his shoes," Slamons said. "Really, it's his night."

Crouch was as happy as anybody, rejoicing over what was accomplished in securing the win and also envisioning potential to continue expanding soccer at Lincoln.

"A lot of kids in the high school program are first year players so the future looks great," Crouch said. "Our guys were hungry, hungry to find the back of the net. They didn't play outside of themselves. They played defensive first, but when the attack was there we went for it."

Sports on 04/18/2018