Sequim scored first and came close to equalizing late, but couldn’t match Bainbridge’s intensity coming off the bus and wasn’t able to catch back up in a 3-2 Olympic League boys soccer contest on March 26.
“We had a very slow start,” Sequim coach Dave Breckenridge said. “The intensity Bainbridge brought right out the gate was overwhelming for the first half.”
Sequim did get an early call in its favor in the first half to go up 1-0. Sophomore Josh Alcaraz got taken down in the box on an attack and earned a penalty kick. Bainbridge’s goalie deflected the first attempt but left the line early, and Alcaraz converted the second try for a 1-0 lead.
Bainbridge tied the score before half and went on to grab a 3-1 lead, though Sequim played its best soccer of the season after halftime, according to Breckenridge.
“The intensity and drive to win balls and not get bulldozed took over and we put them on the back foot,” Breckenridge said.
“Mehki [Ashby] was a totally different player after halftime and dominated the midfield winning balls and sending passes that we unfortunately couldn’t capitalize on [as the] extremely talented back line of Bainbridge was hard to beat.”
Ashby netted a goal late to make it a one-goal game.
“Mehki found a way late in the half with a screamer from 25 yards out that the keeper had no chance to get,” Breckenridge said.
“I was excited for the boys to finally experience what it takes to compete with these tougher teams.”
He added that he liked the team’s no-quit attitude and said goalkeeper Nolan Valenzuela was the team’s MVP.
Two days later, the Wolves coudn’t find the net in a 2-0 loss at Bremerton.
The Knights’ familiarity with a wet turf field and some Wolves’ miscues led to a road loss.
“They were not faster than us by any means they were just able make better touches and pass decisions that worked,” Breckenridge said.
“I would love to use that as an excuse [team speed] but Bremerton was able to find the net. Well, one being a [Sequim] hand ball resulting in a penalty kick, but in reality we had a rough night in the rain and on a super slick turf field.”
Looking ahead
Following spring break, the Wolves (1-4) are back on the pitch April 9 at home against Kingston.
Sequim is at North mason on April 12 and at Port Angeles on April 16 before hosting Olympic on April 18.
Sequim Gazette photos by Michael Dashiell Sequim’s Joshua Alcaraz, center, tries to keep possession as he’s surrounded by Bainbridge players in the Wolves’ home game against the Spartans on March 26.
Sequim’s Simon Hare, right, wraps a pass around a Bainbridge defender in a March 26 Olympic League match-up in Sequim.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim goalkeeper Nolan Valenzuela boots the ball downfield in the first half of SHS’s 3-2 loss to visiting Bainbridge on March 26.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Colin Feik, center, looks to keep possession as he’s surrounded by Bainbridge players in the Wolves’ home game against the Spartans on March 26.
Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Sion Hare gets his head on the ball in a March 26 Olympic League match-up against Bainbridge on March 26.
