SEQUIM — Hounded for the ball and unable to consistently play its offensive attack through the middle all game long, Port Angeles put together a quality piece of play exactly when it needed most in a 2-1 girls soccer win against rival Sequim.
Maddie Boe collected the ball for the Roughriders in the center of the field and quickly sent a pass scooting up the middle to an on-rushing Emily Boyd.
Boyd dribbled forward and fired a blistering strike high to the right post for the game-winner two minutes into sudden-death overtime Thursday.
“I saw Maddie have the ball and she sent a great through ball and I took advantage of it,” Boyd said.
“I was aiming up there, aiming to the right, because she [Sequim goalkeeper Claire Henninger] was guarding the left post.”
Port Angeles coach Scott Moseley said he and his assistant felt his team could have played better as a whole but did show improvement throughout the contest.
“We felt like we grew as the game went on,” Moseley said.
“We kept talking about finding the final split in the Sequim defense. We had been just kicking it into Sequim, and so that was the talk right before the sudden-death overtime.
“And the first possession we did find that split and Emily Boyd crushed the shot.
“It was a great finish and a wonderful pass from Maddie.”
The golden goal brought a quick end to a confounding night of soccer for the Riders.
Sequim appeared far more fired up to play from the opening kick, pushing Port Angeles to the edges of the field and capitalizing early on sophomore Adare McMinn moving forward from her spot in midfield.
Bobbi Sparks and Gretchen Happe combined on a strong run up the right side of the field for the Wolves in the 7th minute.
Happe eventually crossed to the center of the Riders’ goal box, and McMinn stepped forward and sent home a shot to give Sequim a 1-0 lead.
“That was beautiful,” Wolves coach Brittany Murdach said.
“We talked about that before the game; we wanted to push Adare up the field and get her involved with the offense.”
Port Angeles tied the game after a corner kick in the 34th minute.
Taylar Clark sent the ball in near the goal, and after a jumble in front of the net, Boe pounced on the ball for the score.
Later, Clark connected on a long ball up the field to Sierra Robinson.
Robinson zoomed past the Wolves’ defense, only to be taken down just before she could connect on a kick.
No penalty was given and the game continued.
“Taylar had another great game,” Moseley said.
“It was her second game in a row where she really dominated.”
Besides Robinson’s chance, neither side threatened offensively in the second half.
“It was an excellent match,” Murdach said.
“It was a pretty even match. We had some opportunities and they had some opportunities, and really the girls played their hearts out, and as a coach that’s all you can ask.
“One thing we’ve been pushing for since the first game of the season is to empty the tank.
“If you leave and you know you have nothing left, that’s a success in itself, even if you don’t leave with a ‘W.’”
Sequim (0-2-0, 1-3-1) visits North Mason on Tuesday.
Port Angeles (1-1, 4-1) hosts Bremerton on Tuesday.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-452-2345, ext. 5250 or at mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
