Three second-half goals turned out to be the difference as Montesano beat Hoquiam as we review Tuesday’s boys prep soccer action on the Harbor.
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BOYS PREP SOCCER
Montesano 6, Hoquiam 3
Montesano outpaced in the second half to earn a key 6-3 1A Evergreen League victory on Tuesday at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.
The Bulldogs (2-0 overall, 2-0 1A Evergreen) took an early lead with a goal from senior forward Felix Romero just seven minutes into the game.
But Hoquiam responded with two straight goals by junior forward Santiago Martinez – one in the 22nd minute and another in the 25th – to take a 2-1 lead.
Monte responded with a goal by sophomore forward Brady Whipple off an assist from junior midfielder Cris Tobar to tie the game at 2-2 in the 31st minute.
Hoquiam sophomore midfielder J.B. Fabian converted a penalty kick in the 33rd minute as the Grizzlies regained the lead at 3-2.
But just before the end of the first half, Montesano was awarded a penalty kick, which Tobar converted to make it a 3-3 game entering halftime.
The second half belonged to the Bulldogs.
Monte regained the lead when Tobar scored in the 52nd minute then assisted on Whipple’s second goal of the game in the 70th minute for the first two-goal lead of the game for either team.
Romero scored two minutes later to secure the 6-3 league victory.
“Our defensive line is new and we are figuring out what works for us, we’ll get there,” Hoquiam head coach Corri Schmid said. “Monte was able to take advantage of some corner kicks to score and that gave them momentum to win the game.”
Montesano head coach Fidel Sanchez said he liked the balanced scoring he got from his team as Romero, Tobar and Whipple scored two goals apiece, but lamented what he called an “uncharacteristic”defensive performance as his team has allowed seven goals in two games this season.
“Three of the goals that they had, we gave them the pass to go forward and set it up. It’s not very characteristic of teams from Montesano to play like this,” Sanchez said. “That’s a trend we don’t want to be in, but the good news is we are outscoring opponents, so if we can figure this out, we’re going to be very tough team to beat.”
Sanchez explained his team’s lack of experience and youth has led to a sub-par defense through the first two games of the season.
“We are sophomore heavy and we’ve got guys that haven’t played soccer and they are learning their positions,” he said. “It’s too the point where we have to stay the course and coach them up. It’s not their fault. They are willing to come and play soccer for Montesano High School. I’m going to welcome the guys and they are doing the best they can and giving us the best they got. They’re getting the hang of it and little by little, we’ll gain more experience and we’ll get better.”
Montesano plays at Tenino while Elma plays at Hoquiam in league games scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Hoquiam 3 0 – 3
Montesano 3 3 – 6
Scoring
First half – 1, Montesano, Romero, 7th minute. 2, Hoquiam, Martinez, 22nd minute. 3, Hoquiam, Martinez, 25th minute. 4, Montesano, Whipple (Tobar), 31st minute. 5, Hoquiam, Fabian, 33rd minute. 6, Montesano, Tobar, 40th minute.
Second half – 7, Montesano, Tobar, 52nd minute. 8, Montesano, Whipple (Tobar), 70th minute. 9, Montesano, Romero, 72nd minute.
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Other scores