KINGSTON — Port Angeles earned a point in its Olympic League boys soccer season opener with Kingston, rallying from a 1-0 halftime deficit to take the game to overtime before falling 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout.
“The Riders will take the one point and try to make up for it when they face Kingston again in April,” coach Chris Saari said.
“It was a spirited effort by the Riders to come back after they lost senior captain Josiah Long early in the first half to a hamstring strain.”
Port Angeles gave up an early goal in the eighth minute on a direct free kick at the top of the Riders’ penalty box. Port Angeles had several good chances in the first half, but was unable to capitalize, according to Saari.
The Riders had possession on the Kingston half for the majority of the second half, and Saari said Port Angeles created a lot of opportunities to score, including Matthew Miller hitting the post in the 63rd minute on a left-footed shot from the top of the box.
German exchange student Hannes Spieker broke through with the tying goal in the 75th minute for the Riders, hitting what Saari described “as an absolute rocket 30-yard shot that went far post [to the] upper five on a rope.”
“It was one of the top five goals I’ve seen in my 24 years of coaching at PAHS,” Saari said. “Everyone on the sideline knew it was going in from the moment it left his foot. The Deutsch Fussball Bund [German soccer team] would have been proud.”
Spieker netted offensive player of the match honors from Saari, while Landon Close stood out defensively and Keane McClain was the transition player of the match.
Port Angeles (1-0-1) hosts Sequim tonight at 6:45 p.m. at Civic Field.
North Mason 1, Sequim 0 OT
BELFAIR — The Wolves, who lost 13 seniors from last spring’s squad, stood tall defensively in their season-opening loss to the Bulldogs.
“We are definitely a young group and we will take some time to develop. The boys should be competitive, especially in defending. We didn’t concede a goal until the second overtime,” coach Juan Carlos Cisneros said.
“We defended really well and that’s where our focus has been. We’ve only had one training session on the attack so far.”
Cisneros said his charges did better at moving the ball into scoring position.
“Second half we improved on our build up, we created some chances, a couple of decent ones, a couple of free kicks and a shot that the North Mason keeper saved to his right.”
Cisneros said sophomore goalkeeper and team captain Nolan Valenzuela did a great job in net and the team got contributions from freshman center back Colin Feik and midfielder Joshua Alcaraz.
Sequim (0-1-0) visits Port Angeles tonight at Civic Field.
Annie Wright 8, East Jefferson 1
TACOMA — The Rivals are rebuilding with a number of freshmen filling important roles this season.
“We have 36 or 37 in the program and 17 or 18 are freshmen,” coach Rob Cantley said.
“We didn’t come to play against Annie Wright. We started five freshmen and we were a little overwhelmed by the speed of the game, especially the young guys.”
Cantley said freshman goalkeeper Emilio Lopez did well in goal, turning away a number of shots and potential breakaway goals.
Sophomore George Lewis notched the Rivals goal when he sent in a rebound off a free kick.
East Jefferson (0-1-0, 0-2-0) hosts Vashon tonight.
Boys Golf
Port Angeles 178, Bremerton 208
BREMERTON — Edun Bailey earned match medalist honors after shooting a 43 to lead the Riders to a season-opening win at Gold Mountain Golf Course.
Austin Worthington was one stroke back at 44, Phoenix Flores posted a 45 and Cale Wentz a 46 to round out the Port Angeles scoring. Nate Anderson also added a 48 and Reid Schmidt a 50.
Port Angeles (1-0) hosts North Mason today at Peninsula Golf Club.
Bainbridge 163, Sequim 199
BAINBRIDGE — The Wolves fell in their season-opening match at Wing Point Country Club on Tuesday.
Sequim was led by Carter Cronin, who admirably fought all day to salvage a nine-hole round of 43, according to coach Sean O’Mera. Cole Smithson added a 50, Zack Thompson shot 51 and Lars Wiker posted a 55.
Also highlighting the Wolves were first time varsity players Cody Dunscomb — a freshman who shot a 56 — and Garrett Barr who posted a 67.
The Wolves (0-1) host Bremerton today at The Cedars at Dungeness.
