PORT TOWNSEND — Limited by injuries to a pair of players and self-quarantine to two others, East Jefferson battled with Klahowya in a 2-0 boys soccer loss at Memorial Field.
“We played to the best our abilities, which is all I keep asking them to do,” coach Rob Cantley said. “We were without four of our normal starters, two to injuries and two others to self-quarantine after being potentially exposed to a COVID case, so that was kind of tough to take. We are already pretty much at our limits, so we had to throw on some inexperienced kids to have the numbers.”
Despite the challenges, Cantley said his young squad played well.
“We did bring the game to them and had some opportunities to score on them,” Cantley said.
Klahowya scored a first-half goal on a header following a free kick.
“We’ve had trouble defending set pieces,” Cantley said.
“Second half, we had quite a few opportunities to score. Their goalie made a couple of outstanding saves, and we hit the post with a shot. About 20 minutes into the second half, Klahowya scored again. We didn’t drop our heads, but scoring goals has been an issue for us.”
Against a Klahowya team that features a top-flight striker in sophomore Michael Divano, Cantley put his more experienced players back in defense, limiting the chances for a comeback.
Cantley had praise for freshman Gabriel Evans who started in midfield.
“He’s one of our more inexperienced kids, and he started and played the majority of the game and did really well,” Cantley said. “I told him, ‘Defensively, be a nuisance and fight for the ball. And when you get it, find a teammate and pass him the ball.’ And he did on plenty of occasions. He was nervous at first when I told he was starting, but he came off the field at halftime and said, ‘This is fun.’”
East Jefferson also saluted its three seniors: Yarrow Dean, Aidan Halpin and Elias Herman.
East Jefferson hosts Kingston this afternoon at Chimacum High School.
Olympic 2, Port Angeles 1
PORT ANGELES — The Roughriders outshot and earned more corner kicks than the Trojans but fell at home in an Olympic League contest.
The Trojans scored early in the 10th minute against the run of play.
Port Angeles had some quality opportunities in the first half, according to coach Chris Saari but failed to capitalize until the 28th minute when Josiah Long chested in a cross to the far post from Damon Gundersen to equalize the score.
“It was a nice ball from Damon that went over the goalie’s head to the far post, and Josiah’s nose for goal was on display again with his fifth goal on the season,” Saari said.
Olympic regained the lead for good on a long-range free kick that found the far post just under the crossbar in the 49th minute.
“PA pressed late and created some good chances but were unable to finish opportunities, especially late in the match before time ran out,” Saari said. “The Trojans goalie came up with a big save in the last two minutes when Josiah Long put a shot to the keepers right from close range.”
Saari named Long (offensive), Sean Rankin (defensive) and Gunderson (transition) as his players of the match.
The Riders (3-6) finish regular season play at Klahowya today.
Baseball
Toutle Lake 7, Forks 6
TOUTLE — The Spartans’ used a six-run fifth inning to take a 6-4 lead but couldn’t hang on in a nonleague meeting with the Central League’s top team.
Forks scored runs on a Dalton Kilmer ground out, a Logan Olson single, a three-run double to center field by Hayden Baker, a Trey Baysinger single and an error by the Ducks.
Toutle Lake reclaimed the lead on a Spartans’ error, a couple of walks, a passed ball and an RBI single.
Baker reached base on a single in Forks’ last turn at the plate, but the Spartans couldn’t string together a second rally.
Forks (8-2) finished the regular season as the Pacific League champions and are tentatively slated to host a home district playoff game next week.
Girls Golf
Central Kitsap 200, Port Angeles 228
PORT ANGELES — Saylah Commerton led the Roughriders with a nine-hole round of 54 on the par-36 front nine at Peninsula Golf Club on Tuesday.
Piper Williams added a 56, Eve Burke a 58 and Jenna McGoff a 60 for Port Angeles.
Central Kitsap’s Imara Bhanji was match medalist with a score of 42.
“CK is definitely the top dog in our league,” Riders coach Mike DuPuis said. “It was a good experience for our girls to play against that kind of talent. I was proud of how they competed.”
Boys Golf
Central Kitsap 187, Port Angeles 205
PORT ANGELES — Derek Sparks led the Riders with a season-best round of 47 on the front nine at Peninsula Golf Club on Tuesday. Edun Bailey posted a 49, Dalton Ross a 54 and Cyras Mills a 55 to round out Port Angeles’ scorers.
“Consistency is still the goal, but the guys came close to our team goal of scoring under 200 today in great weather and a course in great condition,” coach Gil Stockton said. “The guys all had a great time out on the course and know what needs work.”
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladaily news.com.
