PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles opened the boys soccer season with a win over Port Townsend when freshman Jackson May converted a penalty kick in the 77th minute to give the Roughriders a 2-1 victory.
“It was a hard fought game by both teams, but the Riders came away with an important three league points to start the season off,” Port Angeles coach Chris Saari said after Saturday’s game.
The Redskins scored first to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
“Mark Streett served a wonderful free kick from the midfield line to the feet of senior forward Max Meier, who settled with one touch, beat a PA defender, and found the back of the net in the 33rd minute,” Port Townsend coach Steve Shively said.
Saari said Port Angeles had scoring chances in the first half with a few breakaway opportunities, but were unable to capitalize.
The Redskins maintained their lead for much of the second half.
“PT continued to dominate both the possession and pace of the match, demonstrated by PA earning three frustration-filled yellow cards throughout the match,” Shively said.
Port Angeles scored the equalizer on a goal by Vincent Ioffrida that was assisted by a corner kick taken by Tim Schneider in the 68th minute.
Nine minutes later, May scored the game-winner after Port Townsend was called for a handball.
“Jackson May nicely placed the penalty kick to the right corner with confidence,” Saari said of the freshman forward’s goal.
Shively questioned the penalty.
“The game was heading into certain overtime when a mysterious handball was called,” he said.
Saari said goalkeeper Spencer May was the Riders’ defensive player of the match for making “some big saves throughout the match to keep [us] in the game in his first start in goal.”
Jackson May and Ioffrida were the offensive players of the match, while Agustin Muller and Tim Schneider were chosen as the transition players of the match.
For the Redskins, Shively singled out the performances of senior goalkeeper Forrest Piatt, junior defender Colin Coker and sophomore midfielder Patrick Charlton.
Port Townsend won the JV match 3-0 with two goals by Sam Meier and one by Luke Anderson.
The Redskins host Klahowya on Tuesday at Memorial Field.
Next up for the Riders is a league game rival Sequim on the road.
Port Angeles 2, Port Townsend 1
Port Townsend 1 0 — 1
Port Angeles 0 2 — 2
Scoring Summary
First half: 1, Port Townsend, Max Meier (Mark Streett), 33rd minute.
Second half: 1, Port Angeles, Ioffrida (Schneider), 68th minute; 2, Port Angeles, J. May, 77th minute.
Kingston 2, Sequim 1
KINGSTON — The Wolves battled last year’s Olympic League co-champions to the end before falling 2-1 on a goal in the 72nd minute by Kingston’s Moises Larios.
“It was a pretty hard-fought match,” Sequim coach Dave Brasher said of Saturday’s game.
The Buccaneers opened the scoring with a goal in the 10th minute by Braden Bernice.
Sequim tied the score right before halftime on a goal by Cameron Chase off an assist by Eli Berg in the 33rd minute.
The Wolves had a few scoring chances after Larios’ go-ahead goal but were unable to convert.
Kingston outshot Sequim 5-4.
“Austin Wagner had a couple of nice saves,” Brasher said, “not much tested him.”
Sequim hosts rival Port Angeles on Tuesday night.
“It’s a good rivalry, we’re excited to play that game,” Brasher said.
Kingston 2, Sequim 1
Sequim 1 0 — 1
Kingston 1 1 — 2
Scoring Summary
First half: 1, Kingston, Braden Bernice, 10th minute; 1, Sequim, Cameron Chase (Eli Berg); 33rd minute.
Second Half: 2, Kingston, Moises Larios, 72nd minute.