PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles boys soccer team got big offensive games from Xander Maestas, Damon Gunderson and Josiah Long in beating Forks 7-1 in a season-opening game Saturday.
Maestas, playing in his first game for the Roughriders soccer team, finished with a goal and two assists, while Long had a goal and an assist and Gunderson two goals.
Maestas, coming off an outstanding performance at the 2A state basketball tournament just a week ago, joined the soccer team after running track for Port Angeles last year and in 2019. He didn’t just run track, he won the district championship in the 300-meter high hurdles last year.
The Riders got on the board early with a goal by Dayton Williams, assisted by Caden White.
“[It was] a nice pass from Caden down the line,” said coach Chris Saari. “Dayton turned the corner, got in behind the defender and beat the keeper [on the] near post.”
Damon Gunderson scored in the 16th minute on an assist from Maestas.
“It was nice combination passing and layoff from Xander, and Damon placed the shot firmly to the far post,” Saari said.
Maestas got on board with his own goal in the 20th minute with Long picking up the assist. Long scored eight minutes later on Maestas’ second assist.
Gunderson collected his second goal in the 33rd minute with an assist to Williams.
“Damon hit a right-footed banger full volley first time firmly to the far post. No chance for the keeper,” said Saari.
White scored a goal in the 38th minute with an assist to Diego Garcia as the Riders went into the break up 6-0.
The Riders finished off their scoring in the 61st minute with a penalty kick by Eli Fischer. Forks scored in the 84th minute.
Port Angeles finished with 11 shots to Forks’ two. Port Angeles keeper Marcus Hogan made two saves to earn the win.
Saari named Maestas and Long his offensive players of the match and Dominick Fischer his defensive player of the match. He named Gunderson, Williams, White and Elijah Fischer his transition players of the match.
Port Angeles (1-0) opens league play at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday with a home match against Kingston. The JV game is at 5 p.m.
Forks (0-1) plays at Elma on Friday in a Pacific 1B/2B League match.
Central Kitsap 2, Sequim 0
SILVERDALE — Though the Sequim boys soccer team was shut out in its first game of the year, dropping its opener 2-0 to Central Kitsap, coach Ken Garling was pleased with how the Wolves played against a bigger 3A school.
“It was a good match for us for a first match,” Garling said.
Garling said the Wolves started out “jittery” in the first half, but played much better in the second half, generating some good scoring chances.
“Once we settled down, we started playing in rhythm. We just couldn’t crack the net. We had opportunities,” Garling said. He said the Wolves had a couple of free kicks in the second half that came close to goals, but that the best opportunity came on a good shot by Brandon Charters.
“Brandon Charters had a tremendous shot. We all thought it was going in. Their keeper made a great save,” Garling said.
Garling said Sequim keeper Jack Van De Wege played a good game, making a couple of nice saves and keeping the Wolves in the game. He said the entire defensive backfield played well as did Brandon Wagner in the attacking midfield position.
The Wolves (0-1) begin Olympic 2A League play at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at home against North Mason.
Port Angeles’ Caleb Gagnon, left, fends off Forks’ Arturo Dominguez on Saturday in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily New Forks’ Jesus Ayala, left, challenges Port Angeles’ Dayton Williams for the ball on Saturday at Peninsula College in Port Angeles.
Port Angeles’ Caden White, left, dribbles the ball as Forks’ Hector Dominguez looks on during Saturday’s match in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
