Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

It's still early, but Sequim's boys soccer squad looks like a strong candidate for the post

season.

Three Wolves got scores in the first half and shut down Klahowya the rest of the way for a 3-1 victory in Silverdale on March 26.

Aldo Garcia opened the scoring with a score off a David LaBeaume assist just six minutes in and Gerry Azanza made it 2-0 with a score six minutes later, taking a pass from Evan Watkins for his first score of the season.

At 24 minutes in, Garcia played the giver and Watkins the recipient as the two combined for a score to put Sequim up 3-0.

"We were trying to get five (scores) in the first half - that was our goal," Sequim coach Dave Brasher said. "They played an excellent first half. Klahowya made it only three or four times across midfield. We pretty much just controlled the play. We had plenty of chances."

Klahowya's Case Gorecki broke through the Sequim defense for a score at 50 minutes to break up the shutout.

"(Klahowya) played a lot tougher the second half," Brasher said. "It was kind of good for us (to see the Eagles score). We tightened back up and (still) got to play all the kids on the bench."

Brasher credited Azanza and Jose Najera with strong play in the backfield to keep the Silverdale squad to just one score.

The Wolves (2-0 in Olympic League play, 4-1 overall) get a respite as they and the rest of the Olympic League observe spring break. Sequim is back in action April 7 at Kingston to take on the Buccaneers (2-0, 3-1), an early battle for supremacy of the league's 2A division.

The Buccaneers feature a strong squad that edged a quality Port Townsend team 3-2 in overtime on March 24, capped by a score from Bucs' star Josh Bell.

The Wolves enter the game a bit bruised and battered, with LaBeaume suffering from a deep bruise on his kicking foot, defender Austin Sanford nursing a twisted ankle and Bryan Little with a dinged foot as well.

Still, Brasher said he likes what he sees from the Wolves early on.

"We've got good chemistry and starters are feeling good playing together," he said.

The Wolves take on Port Townsend at home April 10 in another key Olympic League showdown.



Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.