Mount Si drops close one to Saints
Published 9:31 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008
SNOQUALMIE – The Mount Si soccer team started the new season with a loss at home against Interlake High School Friday night.
It had rained for several days, so slippery conditions on the saturated grass left many players scrambling for footing on the cold, windless night underneath the stadium lights.
It was six minutes into the game before any of the players could get close to a goal attempt. Then Interlake’s Brai Garcia shot one from the corner of the net that was blocked by Mount Si goalie Eddie Becker.
Mount Si’s Jeff Stone then quickly brought the ball down the field, but his shot was deflected by a quick-running Interlake player. At the 32-minute mark, Interlake’s Garcia came back like a persistent cat wanting affection, and scored the first goal with the help of an assist from Chris Hogg.
Interlake’s tough defense, fancy footwork and superior speed were a bit much for the Mount Si team of only three returning varsity veterans. They remained scoreless for the entire game.
Stone attempted to run the ball down the field with 22 minutes on the clock, but his efforts were fruitless. By the time he was midway to the goal and boxed in by Interlake players, there was no one to be found who could assist him with the ball and Stone was left to fend for himself. The Interlake pressure was too much for him to overcome. Interlake helped themselves to the ball and the Wildcats lost another chance to score against the speedy Saints.
Interlake kept possession of the ball and held it on their end of the field until Mount Si’s Jed McDaniels was able to go in for the kill. But Interlake goalie Doug Tomczak nabbed the save and held the Wildcats from scoring.
With 16 minutes left in the game and Interlake leading1-0, it appeared Mount Si might be able to pull out of its deficit. The Interlake pace was beginning to slow and Mount Si was able to keep them from scoring but two minutes later, Mount Si gave one up to Suad Krkic, who shot from about 30 yards out. The ball soared high into the sky before landing in the net. Interlake won the game 2-0.
Mount Si was 11-5-1 last year in league play and won the district championship. The team plays Sammamish on Friday.
