PORT TOWNSEND — The local spring preps season got underway Saturday with a nonleague boys soccer matchup between Port Angeles and East Jefferson at Memorial Stadium.
The Roughriders came away with a 7-0 victory, with freshman Matthew Miller collecting a hat trick and three assists in his first varsity match.
The game was close at 2-0 at the half when the Riders broke open for five goals in the second half.
“Both teams did not have their full varsity lineups early in the season,” said Port Angeles head coach Chris Saari. “[Port Angeles] got out to an early lead in the first half, but weren’t able to add to the score until later in the second half when the floodgates opened. East Jefferson had many of their younger players in the game and [Port Angeles] went on a scoring flurry in the last 15 minutes of the game.”
The Riders got five of their goals in a 12-minute span from the 65th to the 77th minutes.
“Our first win feels great,” said Miller. “Having three goals and three assists is a little bonus … Everyone worked extremely hard and we really played like a polished team. I loved having the opportunity to play varsity. Thank you coach Saari for the opportunity and thanks [Assistant] Coach [Scott] Moseley for telling me to ‘shoot the ball’ at halftime.”
Miller got two of his goals in the 72nd and 75th minutes. He had a first half goal on a penalty kick after he was fouled in the box.
“Jacob Miller played strong in the center midfield for Port Angeles with his ball winning and distribution,” Saari said. “Landon Close was solid and very active in defense for Port Angeles.”
Saari named Matthew Miller his offensive player of the match. He named Close his defensive player of the match and Jacob Miller and Keane McClain as his transition players of the match. Marcus Hogan got the shutout in goal.
Port Angeles finished with 15 shots to two for East Jefferson.
Jake Weaver added two goals and an assist for the Riders, while McClain scored on a penalty kick and Caden White had an early goal in the first half.
Port Angeles (1-0) returns to action for an Olympic League match at Kingston at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. East Jefferson (0-1) will play a Nisqually League match at Annie Wright at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
A Port Angeles baseball game Saturday against Sehome was canceled.
