The Vashon High School boys’ varsity soccer team hit an unexpected snag on its way to an undefeated season last weekend, losing a nail-biter of a game to University Prep, the same school that knocked the Pirates out of the playoffs last year.

However, the Pirates are now 7-1-1 on the season, and they are still first in the district at 3-0 in district play.

The Pirates had another long week of games, which started out with VHS pulling off a close win against Charles Wright in a monsoon of a game (1-0). Striker Tommy Delargy was out and the Pirates felt his absence in that game. Jackob Heuschert came through in the clutch with a goal, though, supported by strong work on the field by the outstanding Finley Oswald and Richard Rivas, who beat off repeated attempts on goal.

On Thursday night they played Foss and squeaked by with a 3-2 win. Goals came from Will Kim, Elliott Eades and Oswald. Rivas again came up with big saves.

Saturday, the team’s luck finally ran out against University Prep. Striker Delargy was back on the field but was not able to access the ball enough, as the tough opponents dominated much of the game in the mid-field and back half. Still, the mighty Pirates managed to go into the half ahead 2-0, on goals from Delargy and Oswald. But the second half saw the Pirates unravel a bit, as University Prep mercilessly attacked Rivas on goal. Though he made repeated saves, they managed to put three through and win the game 3-2.

This week the Pirates play only once, on the road at Cedar Park Christian on Tuesday night after press time. Then they take the rest of week off and don’t play until Thursday, April 11, against Klahowya in Silverdale.

Though the loss was unsettling, the Pirates still have a bright future ahead of them this season. After Klahowya, they play Cascade Christian again on April 17 at home — they soundly beat them a couple of weeks ago — Bellevue Christian on April 23 on the road, Seattle Christian on April 25 on the road, Bellevue Christian again at home on April 29 and then a final game against Charles Wright on the road May 1. Things still look good for post-season play.

Beyond striker Delargy, other outstanding players at the season’s mid-point include Oswald, an overwhelming and aggressive player who holds down the mid-section of the field (the athletic senior, who plays with Washington Premier, is playing soccer next year at a school in British Columbia) as well as the graceful sophomore Heuschert, senior defender Eades and junior defender Jeremiah Bogaard.

Home games are carried on Voice of Vashon.