by Merrick Parnell

Special to the Sounder

A crisp autumn backdrop of exploding orange and red leaves set the stage for the mighty blue and white of the Orcas Viking boys soccer team in a playoff win against the Mt. Rainier Lutheran Hawks at Orca Field in Bellingham on Oct. 25. The final score as 2-0.

Rhys Thompson opened up the Vikings’ scoring by controlling the ball on the right side with a shot on goal beating the Hawk keeper and putting the Vikings up 1-0 in the first half. Another Viking opportunity came at the 33:00 but was just shy of its mark.

The Viking backline led by Aidan Anderson, Caleb Dean and Aiden McCormick stonewalled the Hawks attack. The Vikings had more shots on goal by William Coe and Ryan Ivans, but the Hawks keeper managed dramatic saves, ending the half 1-0.

The Vikings resumed their precision passing and fierce attack in the second half.

“When we move the ball and connect, that is when we are at our best,” said Coach Matt Stolmeier.

Looking for a strong finish, Orcas midfielder Jack Russillo took a pass from Chase Drake who juked a defender and buried a shot that secured the Viking win.

Goal Keeper Alex Rogers was thrilled with his defense at the end of the match.

“I really didn’t do much,” said Rogers, who also commended defender Caleb Dean on his physical play on the back line.

The Vikings played their next match that following Saturday but lost 4-0.