Hazen Bounces Back in Win Against Lindbergh

Jonathan Bettencourt and Chris Howe scored two goals as the Hazen Highlanders soccer team defeated the Lindbergh Eagles in a 2-0 shutout. Highlanders’ goalkeeper Fernando Puga earned the shutout, as Hazen (2-2-0 Overall, 2-1-0 Seamount) bounced back after their loss to the Kennedy Lancers Tuesday, while the Eagles (1-4-1 Overall, 1-2-0 Seamount) were denied their second win after beating Renton.

Bettencourt scored first with 13 minutes remaining in the first half to put Hazen up 1-0. Howe followed with a head-shot goal to earn the second score with less than 2 minutes in the half.

“We played much better than we have in the last couple of games,” said Highlanders Head Coach Ritch Gouk. “I was much more pleased with the game tonight.”

A goal by Hazen’s Samuel Bunnell would have counted half-way in the first half, but the Highlanders were called for offsides. But Hazen kept placing pressure on Lindbergh’s goalkeeper Bikramdeep Thind, as the Highlanders had possession of the ball most of the game, creating many scoring opportunities. Hazen had four scoring attempts during a 5-minute period during the first part of the second half.

“I think the team’s coming along slowly,” said Gouk. “Like to see them a little bit quicker, but we’ll take what we can get where we can get it.”

Eagles’ player Erick Ortuno-Perez tried to score with over 22 minutes remaining in the game but was unable to convert. Ortuno-Perez was also able to get the ball to Cesar Valencia with 19 minutes left, but the ball hit the side of the goal. Mark Predi tried to get Lindbergh on the board with 9 minutes left, but his shot was off the mark.

Both teams will hit the road Tuesday. Lindbergh will look to avoid a losing streak when they take on the Highline Pirates at Highline High School starting at 5:30pm. Hazen will try for a winning streak when they face the Evergreen Wolverines at Evergreen High School at 7:30pm.