BREMERTON — The Port Angeles boys soccer team rallied for a pair of goals in the final six minutes of the second half to beat Bremerton 2-1 in both the season opener and the Olympic League opener for the Roughriders.
The game was cold and rainy in Bremerton, coach Chris Saari said.
“Port Angeles created a lot of chances in the first half but were unable to convert. Bremerton scored in the 34th minute against the run of play on a long crossing shot that went in far post,” Saari said. “Port Angeles responded with a flurry of shots that the Bremerton goalkeeper saved. Jacob Weaver hit a shot off the crossbar late in the first half but [the Roughriders were] still unable to score.”
The Riders had more chances through the second half but trailed 1-0 until the 74th minute.
“Caleb Lagrange won the ball at the top of the Knights penalty box and got in behind the defense dribbling at goal. Caleb hit a hard low shot to the far post and beat the Bremerton goalie to equalize the score at 1-1,” Saari said.
“In the 78th minute, Port Angeles earned a corner kick. Kanyon Anderson served the ball to the far post and Jacob Weaver headed it back to the near post and over the goalie’s head for the game winner. It was late-game heroics and an important three league points to start the season for the Riders,” Saari said.
It was Weaver’s first career league goal.
Senior Gus Halberg, a huge star for the Riders’ basketball team, played goalkeeper in his first year in varsity play and did a solid job.
“The Knights put shots on goal with pace, and Gus was able to secure them and collect crosses into his box in the wet conditions,” Saari said.
Saari said freshman defender Sawyer Davis got his first varsity start and had an outstanding game. “He was winning tackles and distributing the ball all game long,” he said. Saari also said junior Grant Butterworth was the backbone of the Port Angeles defense at centerback.
Saari named Lagrange offensive player of the match, Butterworth, Davis and Halberg the defensive players of the match and Anderson and Weaver the transition players of the match.
Port Angeles (1-0, 1-0) plays at Forks at 6:45 p.m. today in a nonconference game.
Boys Golf Port Angeles 169, Kingston 231
KINGSTON — Playing in wet conditions at White Horse Golf Course, the Port Angeles boys golf team got excellent rounds from Cale Wentz, Austin Worthington, Sky Gelder, Tate Alton and Max Gagnon in beating Kingston 169-231.
Gelder led the way with a 41, while Wentz shot a 42. Worthington, Alton and Gagnon all shot 43. The team was so solid that Gagnon’s outstanding score was excluded from the team score.
Kingston was led by Joshua VanHuis with a 51 while Jack Merrithew shot a 58.
Port Angeles’ Kolby Charles shot a 59, which was better than four of Kingston’s golfers.
Girls Golf Port Angeles 224, Kingston 285
KINGSTON — The Port Angeles girls got solid games from Claire Osterberg, Mia Neff and Malena Marquez in beating Kingston 224-285.
Osterberg was the match medalist with a 53, while Neff was right behind at 54. Marquez carded a 55. Autumn Wilson Rowland shot a 62, Brenna Furnice a 67 and Izzy Spencer a 70.
