SEQUIM — Sequim sophomore goalkeeper Austin Wagner made a pair of big saves early in the Wolves’ match against rival Port Angeles.
From there, Sequim cruised to a 3-0 Olympic League victory at Sequim High School.
Port Angeles’ Jackson May had a breakaway opportunity a few minutes into the game. But Wagner blocked not one, but two shot attempts from the speedy freshman forward to keep the score even and, according to Sequim coach Dave Brasher, set the tone.
“In soccer, that’s a game changer right there. We go down 1-0, the whole psyche changes, so those were big saves,” Brasher said after Tuesday’s match.
“I think our seniors showed their poise and skills and I think we had more of the possession after that; it kind of settled us in.”
A few minutes later, Sequim forward Cameron Chase took advantage of a defensive mistake by the Roughriders and scored to put the Wolves ahead 1-0 in the eighth minute. Eli Berg assisted Chase’s goal.
Adrian Espinoza tacked on a pair of goals in the 54th and 56th minutes for the Wolves off assists from Hayden James and Chase, respectively.
Espinoza, typically a holding center midfielder, acquitted himself well in his first game at forward — first game ever at the position, he told Brasher — due to an injury to starter Thomas Winfield.
“We had a couple times where our clearance bounced off one of them and bounced right two one of their forwards, and he made some space for himself,” Port Angeles coach Chris Saari said of Sequim’s scoring.
“We had some opportunities early in the game we could have put away, a couple of mistakes on their part that we didn’t quite get the ball into the net.
“But for the most part, they controlled the game. It could have been a couple more goals when they hit the crossbar [on shots].”
Port Angeles had a couple more scoring chances, but much of the match was spent with Sequim on the attack.
“Our central midfielders I think controlled that part of the game really well, Eli Berg and Nic Baird. So that part makes everything else click a little bit,” Brasher said.
“Also better outside midfield play from Tyler Ebert and Ronny Welches kind of opened it up, too.”
The Wolves (1-1) next play at Klahowya (1-1) today.
Saari named May offensive player of the match for the Riders, while Jeff Glatz was the defensive player of the match and Scott Methner was transition player of the match.
Port Angeles (1-1) hosts North Mason (0-2) at Civic Field today.
Sequim also beat Port Angeles 3-0 in the JV match.
Sequim 3, Port Angeles 0
Port Angeles 0 0 — 0
Sequim 1 2 — 3
Scoring Summary
First half: 1, Sequim, Chase (Berg), 8th minute.
Second Half: 2, Sequim, Espinoza (James), 54th minute; 3, Sequim, Espinoza (Chase), 56th minute.
