The Waynesville soccer team hosted for their second game this week against the Union Wildcats.  The game didn't start with the same energy has senior night on Monday.  Starting forward Mujahid was feeling the effects of a hip flexor contusion and sub off the field shortly after kickoff.  The Team responded to the set back well by building through the midfield.  After a couple of quality scoring chances off set pieces they opened the scoring first against Union off a corner.  Jesus Olivas was a steady force in the center of the field as he possessed the ball and connected passes forward.  The defense led by seniors Kevin Cruz and Christian Cope stayed well organized limited any scoring threats to outside of the 18 yard box.  Midway through the 1st half the exertion from yesterdays game affected the teams tempo, allowing Union to create opportunities that led to their first goal from a set piece from outside the 18 yard box.  Keeper Evan Boston made the intial save on the direct kick, but the ball fell to the feet of an advancing Union player for an easy tap in.  Shortly before half Union again tallied a goal from a shot outside the 18 as the midfield failed to track back on defense.  Overall performance in the 1st half was good, the team just needed to address small errors that Union was able to capitalize on. Coming out of half time the energy level was back up and so was the pressure on Union's defense.  The team found success attacking the wings and driving the ball through the box.  The Tigers finally capitalized on a long run from the left by Robert Sigler who drove down the line and then across the 18 year box where he split the defense with a pass to Tyrell Phinn.  Phinn gathered the ball beat a defender and picked out senior Anthony Salas on the back post who leveled the game at 2 with a header.  Additional attacks continued down the flanks from Sigler and several good opportunities from senior Austin Simminson.  Unfortunately Union's goalie came up with big saves as the game reached the final stages.  Again fatigue began to affect the quality of play as both teams became stretched through the middle of the field.  Union's pressure led to several corner kicks.  The Wildcat's got a third goal from a corner that bounced around in the box.  As the Waynesville defense scrambled to clear the ball off the goal line they inadvertently scored an own goal.  Despite going down a goal the Tigers continued to fight through the fatigue as Union contracted their defense to a deep holding position to finish off the game and secure the victory.   Coach Gow was impressed with the development of the defense and feels that the team is coming together ahead of expectations.  The next game will be at Camdenton on Thursday night with Varsity playing first, followed by one half of the JV game.