Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

The first and second goals were record setting. The third? Even better.

Sequim senior Kai Antrim set a school record for goals in a career in the first half against North Mason last Thursday, but his third goal with less than 30 seconds left in double overtime was the one to get the Wolves a 4-3 win in their first Olympic League game.

"I took a second and thought, 'The second goal I scored earlier (the record-setter) didn't matter,'" Antrim said moments after the thrilling game-winner. "It's the next goal we score as a team that matters."

Through all but the last five minutes of regulation, it looked as if it would be teammate Kevin Munro who'd take the game-winning honors. His crossing shot at 48 minutes put Sequim up 3-2, a lead they held until North Mason got the benefit of a handball in the penalty box. Miguel Francisco converted the penalty kick to knot the game at 3-3, and only a great diving save by new Sequim goalie Matt Bedinger saved another Bulldog score with a few ticks left in regulation.

After a scoreless first overtime, Sequim's Jeff Catton picked up his third assist when he lofted a pass deep into North Mason territory. The speedy Antrim chased it down and beat the Bulldog keeper for the clinching score, his 31st in three years at Sequim High.

Antrim put the Wolves up 2-0 in the first half off of passes from Catton and John Textor, breaking Evan Still's school standard of 29 goals (see box).

"He's earned it," Sequim coach Dave Brasher said. "He works really hard."

Still, an assistant with the team, congratulated Antrim at halftime and asked Brasher if he could get the record back at Saturday night's alumni game.

The Bulldogs wouldn't go quietly, though, thanks to a pair of speedy forwards. Francisco Santiago scored at 28 minutes to halve the Wolves' lead and eight minutes later he set up Manuel Santiago's tying score.

"We're still trying to settle our defense in - it showed," Brasher said. "I liked our attack. The first half was a little slow (but) our crossing was great. They looked scared every time we had the ball. They have a good passing game up front. We may have looked a little past them."

Despite the record-setting goals, Antrim said the win took precedence.

"It's nice to start (the season) out on a good note, especially confidence-wise," he said. "This, right here, is where practice is worth it."

The Wolves (1-0 in league, 1-0-1) get a rematch with Kingston, a team they played to a scoreless tie in a season non-league opener, in Poulsbo on March 20, then take on Port Angeles' Roughriders March 22.



Setting a standard

Sequim High career goals

31 - Kai Antrim, 2006-08

29 - Evan Still, 2002-05

28 - Kelly Harden, 1996-99

26 - Casey Nagler, 2003-05