by Marty Zier
Sports contributor
The Orcas Vikings men’s soccer team finished their best season ever on Nov. 11 in a 3-1 loss at the State Quarter Final game against a Crosspoint Academy team at Silverdale Stadium in Bremerton. Head Coach Terry Turner was thrilled with his team.
“Even though we lost the final game, the Orcas players, spectators and coaching staff are extremely proud of the performance, and of the entire season,” he said.
Turner described the game as fast and physical from the starting whistle, with Crosspoint coming out hard and putting the Vikings on their heels with an early goal.
“As the game wore on, the Orcas players rebounded and began to gain the momentum and possession in the later stages of the first half,” he said. “The aggressive attacking play of senior brothers Carlos and Rodrigo Erazo helped turn the tide in Orcas favor, supported by the defensive effort of the entire Viking back line. Late in the first half, senior Viking defender Geraldo Jimenez won the ball in his own half and delivered it to the Erazo brothers who along with winger Henry McMurray passed the ball through a compact Crosspoint defense. As the ball was passed into the opposing box Henry received the ball, beat his defender on the dribble, and slammed it into the net. The teams went to half time tied at 1-1.”
In the second half, Crosspoint – undefeated in 16 regular season games in the Sea-Tac division – scored a second goal.
“Orcas attackers, Ethan White, Levi Moss, Henry McMurray and Carlos Erazo all had excellent shots on goal,” said Turner. “Despite Orcas best efforts, they could not come back, due in large part to the super goal keeping for Crosspoint. Orcas own starting goalkeeper, who had made many stops himself, had to leave the field with an injury and could not finish the half. Eventually Crosspoint scored a third goal.”
Turned said he commented the play of defensive central midfielder Kellen Maier in the game.
“He really brought both the playoff intensity and the skilled controlled play to keep us in the game. Luke Bronn also showed super leadership and bravery going in to play backup goal keeper.”
Turner is excited for the future of Viking soccer.
“Winning two games in Tri-Districts and getting to state set a new bar for the Orcas soccer ream for coming years,” he said. “Now we have going to state as part of our team culture. We had a really great winning season this year, and played an exciting beautiful passing style of soccer all season, dominating many teams. What we have learned this year is how different the intensity can be in playoffs. Our players will know they have to bring it all season next year … I think the biggest moments this year were Ethan’s and Ismael’s goals to give us the comeback win in our second tri-district game that put us through to state.”
