Last week, Vashon boys’ soccer team played two league home games that were must win in order to keep any hopes of a post-season alive. With a standing of zero wins and three losses against various league rivals, the Pirates were looking desperate for some league wins.
The first game of the week came against Cascade Christian, which turned the tide for Vashon. The Pirates found their first league win with a decisive 4-2 victory over the Cougars.
Scoring opened up with a cross through the penalty box that Gabe Reoux connected with into the back of the net. Ten minutes later and with a touch of his own skill, he got his second goal just before the half.
Sensing how vulnerable the Cougar defense was, the Pirates proceeded with their onslaught in the second half. Bohdin Mozeleski scored on an Anthony Gateman cross, and Gabe Reoux scored another goal after the hard work and skill of Gerardo Pereyda helped Vashon seal a huge lead. The Pirates were on a clear roll to victory, and this is where they showed their own vulnerability. In the last 15 minutes, the Pirate defense clearly let their guard down. Cascade Christian scored twice before the final whistle. There was never a fear of the Cougars climbing back into the game, but it became apparent that one of Vashon’s biggest weaknesses could be playing down to the level of teams that they should be finishing off.
On Friday night, the game against league rival Seattle Christian was a rematch of an earlier season game that Vashon lost. The Pirates were looking for redemption after a game that they only themselves to blame for losing. So at the last home game of the season and Senior Night, the players from both teams were called to roll, and the game was underway. Again, both teams dominated both ends of the field. Passing and control was better from the Pirates, as possession was mostly theirs to enjoy. On a sloppy clearing from the Vashon defense, with the sun in goalie Ben Stemer’s eyes, the ball dropped to a Seattle Christian player, and he blasted it into the back of the net. Seattle Christian was up 1-0 at halftime. Vashon senior players were getting set to play their last half of a game for Vashon High School forever.
With the start of the second half, it was obvious that Vashon players were not going to roll over. Playing hard and pressing again and again, Gabe Reoux got his foot on the end of a cross from Austyn Heit to tie the game up. Frustrated, the Seattle Christian goalie made an attempt on a save that missed the ball and took out a Vashon player to set up a penalty kick. The first Pirate penalty kick of the season was buried in the back of the net by Heit, saving the game in a 2-1 victory and saving Senior Night in front of a large home crowd that loves a great game of soccer.
With these two league wins, the question is how are Vashon’s hopes for post-season now.
These wins put the Pirates in third place in the league. Next come the last three games of the regular season against tough league opponents. All games are away with Charles Wright Academy first, followed by Bellevue Christian and finishing against Cascade Christian. The top three teams in the league will move on to the district tournament. So for now, it looks like Vashon still has work to do in order to secure its post-season slot.
— Ben Bork is the boys soccer coach.
