Hazen Soccer Starts League Play With Win Against Tyee

Jordan Lewison led the Hazen soccer team with two goals as the Highlanders' opened Seamount League play with a shutout win against 2A opponent Tyee Totems 6-0. Other Highlanders’ scorers included Chris Howe, Samuel Bunnell, Jonathan Bettencourt and Frankie Johnson. This marks Hazen’s (1-1-0 Overall, 1-0-0 Seamount) first win after losing a non-league match against the Liberty Patriots 3-0 Tuesday.

Lewison scored the first goal with at least 14 minutes remaining in the first half, along with scoring the team’s fourth goal midway through the second half. Howe scored the team’s second goal with 5:05 remaining, followed by Bunnell’s 25 seconds later. Bunnell left the game in the second half with a nose injury. Bettencourt and Johnson earned their goals late in the second half.

Hazen Head Coach Ritch Gouk addressed that he’s trying different schemes and placing players in different positions to see where each one fits.

“I’m still trying to learn who’s out there and who can do what,” said Gouk. “So we’ll keep on moving the ball around and talking to each other.”

Hazen goalkeeper Freddie Jeronimo had 4 saves before leaving the game after the first half due to an injury. Fernando Puga replaced Jeronimo, earning 2 saves. The Highlanders defense forced the Tyee offense out of rhythm, intercepting and stealing the ball.

Gouk said he wants to see an improvement in ball control, as Hazen had the ball at times to only rush scoring opportunities.

“We need to control the ball,” said Gouk. “That’s one of the things we’re trying to work on.”

The Highlanders will host the Kennedy Lancers in a 3A match-up at Renton Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, March 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Note: Due to construction at Renton Memorial, those attending the games are to enter the north parking lot to enter the site.