BOYS SOCCER: Sequim rules the Rainshadow Rumble with four-first half goals

SEQUIM — Sequim striker Preston Kurtze scored two nearly mirror-image goals, celebrating the first with a curtsy/bow of his own creation toward the crowd, as the Wolves ruled the Rainshadow Rumble rivalry in a 4-2 win over Port Angeles in a home and season-opening win Thursday night.

All of Sequim’s tallies came in the first half, including three goals in the final 8 minutes before halftime, as the Wolves were able to control play and link passes consistently in their offensive third of the field to set up scores.

“Sequim had the most of the possession during the game and capitalized on some poor defending from the Riders on several of their goals,” Port Angeles coach Chris Saari said.

Early on, Port Angeles’ Caleb Lagrange managed to find space and slip past the Sequim defense on two occasions but Wolves’ goalkeeper Nolan Valenzuela was there to make saves on the breakaway attempts.

Sequim quickly countered, eventually sending the ball into the Roughriders’ penalty box from long distance. Port Angeles’ defense wasn’t able to clear the ball and Joshua Alcarez pounced on the play and beat Riders’ goalkeeper Kevin Royack for a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.

Royack stopped a Wolves’ breakaway by Mekhi Ashby near the 30-minute mark, but Sequim kept coming forward offensively.

Kurtze found the net with the first of his similar scoring plays in the 32nd minute when he ran onto an Evan Cisneros long ball and continued his sprint up the left side of the field to the end line. He then feinted left, and went right with the ball, cutting between two Port Angeles defenders before turning and shooting back towards the left post and between Royack’s legs into the goal for a 2-0 lead.

He added a flourish to the play with a celebration in front of the home sideline.

The Wolves scored again a minute later, building up play quickly from the back for a 3-0 lead.

Port Angeles scratched one back in the 37th minute when a pretty connection between freshman Kanyon Anderson and sophomore Matthew Miller led to a breakaway and a penalty kick.

“Kanyon Anderson played a nice ball in behind the defense to Matthew Miller,” Saari said. “Matthew was one-on-one with the keeper when he was dragged down from behind for a penalty kick. Matthew converted the penalty kick to get PA back into the game. Matthew’s shot was head high to the right side of the goal. Sequim goalkeeper Nolan Valenzuela had no chance of making the save.”

But Sequim and Kurtze had other plans just before halftime.

Kurtze ran on to another long through ball up the left side, this time from Colin Feik, and again sprinted to the end line before slaloming back to his right into the Port Angeles goal box and shooting back to his left, going through Royack’s hands this time for a 4-1 halftime advantage.

Port Angeles added a second penalty kick goal late in the second half when Anderson went low and to the corner for a 4-2 final score line.

“The Riders continued to battle and didn’t allow a goal in the second half,” Saari said. “Kevin Royack and Leif Moody who came in for the last 15 minutes in goal for Port Angeles, each made a few key saves.”

“Late in the game Port Angeles got called for an intentional pass back to goalie Leif Moody earning Sequim an indirect freekick. PA defender Jackson Wyall took a hard shot off his chest on the goal line to keep the Wolves shutout in the second half.”

Saari named Miller, Grant Butterworth and Jackson Wyall and Kanyon Anderson as his offensive, defensive and transition players of the match.

Port Angeles (1-1-0, 2-1-0) hosts Klahowya today at 2 p.m. at Peninsula College.

Sequim (1-0-0) visits Olympic on Tuesday.