The Sequim boys soccer team held off a comeback attempt from North Kitsap to take firm hold of second place in the Olympic League standings with a 3-1 road win on April 19.
“The boys were excited about the results,” Sequim coach Ken Garling said. “North Kitsap is always tough.”
Garling said Sequim had a goal to score early and accomplished that when Ethan Knight took a pass from Brandon Charters. The Vikings keeper and defender came out of goal and Knight chipped the ball over their heads into the net.
“It was a very heads-up goal for him,” Garling said.
Rafael Flores scored in the 30th minute with an assist from Kristian Mingoy.
“We were definitely in the driver’s seat at that point,” Garling said.
North Kitsap mounted a furious comeback, scoring early in the second half on a penalty kick.
“Really, for the next 15 minutes they had the momentum. We kind of panicked,” Garling said. “Once we made a few adjustments and switched formation, then we managed just fine.”
With the Vikings pressing, the Wolves were able to counter-attack and Knight scored his second goal of the match in the 69th minute, with another assist going to Mingoy, for a critical insurance goal. Garling said Sequim had a lot of opportunities and really could have had four or five goals. Brandon Wagner in particular had a great solo run that nearly led to a goal, he said.
Sequim falls to Spartans, beat Buccaneers
Similar to their previous match-up this season — a 3-0 Spartan win in Sequim on March 29 — Bainbridge held Sequim scoreless in another 3-0 decision on April 21.
The Wolves went down to the wire against the Olympic League leaders, allowing two late goals to account for the final result.
“Kind of the same page as when we played them at home,” Garling said. “Our game plan was to keep them in front of us, stay compact defensively and don’t allow them to beat us with any long balls over the top. It was 0-0 at halftime and we were really doing well.”
Bainbridge earned and converted on a penalty kick, however, relatively early in the second half to take the lead and momentum.
“That took the wind out of our sails a bit, the boys were a little discouraged,” Garling said.
“We kept battling and sticking to the game plan and Bainbridge didn’t have much in the attack until the last 10 or 15 minutes.”
Garling said Mekhi Ashby did well playing out of position at defensive midfielder, while junior Abe Torres and sophomore Sam Stewart also impressed while filling in for some missing starters.
Sequim (8-3 in Olympic League play, 8-4 overall) rebounded quickly with a 2-1 win at Kingston.
The Wolves had their hands full with a tough Kingston team, but thanks to a pair of goals from Brandon Wagner, came away with a 2-1 road victory.
“[Kingston] is a good team, they’re a tough team,” Garling said.
Wagner got his first goal in the eighth minute on a pass slotted up to him from Kristian Mingoy.
“He split two center-backs and put it in,” Garling said.
Wagner got his second goal in the 30th minute when he was fouled in the penalty area and converted the penalty kick.
Kingston came back in the second half, scoring on a corner kick four minutes into the half.
Coming up
Sequim was scheduled to host Bremerton on April 26. The Wolves host Kingston on April 28 and finish the regular season on Saturday, April 30, at North Mason High School in Belfair.
The 2A bi-district tourney is set for May 10-14, with 16 teams from the Olympic, South Puget Sound and KingCo leagues vying for six state 2A tournament berths.
