Preps: Delcid finally gets his shot

The smile on David Delcid's face told the whole story Monday afternoon at Chaparral.

Since transferring to Chaparral from Silverado three years ago, Delcid has waited and watched from the sidelines, academically ineligible to play for the Cowboy soccer team.

This fall, however, his hard work and perseverance in the classroom finally is paying off. For the first time, Delcid is a key member of one of Las Vegas' strongest squads.

Against visiting Basic on Monday, the senior forward played like an athlete overjoyed to be on the field, scoring four goals and generating countless other chances in Chaparral's 7-0 league victory.

"David always has a good time out there," said Cowboys' coach Dan Schell, whose squad improved to 2-1-1 (1-0-1 Sunrise Division). "That's the element that he brings to the team that's so refreshing."

With his father watching from the sidelines, the deceptively quick Delcid scored his first goal of the season in the game's 14th minute, pouncing on a loose ball and heading it off Basic keeper Phil Bonderant's outstretched hands.

Delcid had help from his teammates throughout the contest, particularly from juniors Brady Okuda and Javier Fernandez, who controlled the game from their midfield positions.

"I've been practicing with my teammates for three years, so we know each other well," said Delcid, who was chosen one of four captains before the season started.

After Fernandez made the score 2-0 on a 20-yard blast in the 17th minute, Delcid added his second goal off a perfect pass from Okuda five minutes later.

The senior completed his first career hat trick late in the first half, taking a pass from Anwar Ouassini and beating Bonderant to the near post.

"It was a matter of getting him the ball in the right spots," Schell said. "That's what we need to do, recognize the weaknesses out there."

Things didn't get much better for the Wolves (0-5-0, 0-3-0 Sunrise) in the second half. Okuda scored the hosts' fifth goal in the first minute, and Delcid added his fourth tally moments later, heading a cross from Juan Mendoza into the net.

"I've worked hard for this," Delcid said. "I do it because I love soccer. It's my hobby, my art and my life."

While Delcid and company put the Cowboys in the lead, younger brother Richard Delcid -- Chaparral's starting goalkeeper -- did his best to keep them there.

The junior made three saves, including a tough one-handed stop in the closing minutes, to preserve his second shutout of the season.

Chaparral also got a strong effort from sweeper Kevin Gammett and his defensive teammates, who held the visitors to just six shots. Gamett also added his club's final goal on a penalty kick.

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