SEQUIM — The scores came early and often as Sequim earned an important shut out win 4-0 over Bremerton (3-3-0) in Olympic League girls soccer play on Thursday.
“We had to make a few adjustments against their back line, but we were able to put some balls in the back of the net against a good Bremerton team,” coach Ken Garling said.
“Taryn Johnson got us off and running with a goal in the seventh minute. Teagen Moore assisted, Taryn got behind the last defender and that was that.”
Garling said attacking midfielder Jenny Gomez continued her strong play.
“Jenny scored in the 32nd minute when Taryn cut the ball back to her right foot and Jenny placed it perfectly past the keeper,” Garling said.
“What’s great about Jenny is she gets forward and attacks, but also gets back and defends just as well.”
Four minutes later, a free kick by Johnson was tapped in by Eve Breithaupt for a 3-0 halftime score.
“Taryn took the kick and placed it beautifully right around the top of the six-yard box, a one-touch tap-in,” Garling said. “It was a beautiful goal, a really fast play.”
Teagen Moore added the final goal scoring off a scramble in the box after a Sequim corner kick.
Garling said the defense was strong as well.
“Libby Turella continues to shine as our No. 6, holding defensive midfielder and Kylie Winter, a freshman, stepped in at outside right back and was dangerous on the wing, active and got balls down the line to our strikers,” Garling said.
Bainbridge 2, Port Angeles 0
BAINBRIDGE — The Riders lost to the league-leading Spartans but hope to learn from the defeat for their second-half push.
“Another game that we needed at this midway point in the season,” coach Daniel Horton said. “These back-to-backs with North Kitsap and Bainbridge are going to be what really prepare us for a postseason run.”
Horton said his squad was caught ball watching on the Spartans’ first goal 20 minutes in.
“It felt like we were in good position, but we will watch the film to show why we weren’t there,” Horton said.
Bainbridge capitalized in the 33rd minute after a good Riders’ chance offensively.
“We put together great passes up field and Anna [Petty] banged one off the crossbar that bounced straight down,” Horton said. “Piper Williams crashed in, got a foot on it, but the ball went right into the goalkeepers’ hands. The coaches were joking that we haven’t had a lucky bounce yet.”
The Spartans quickly countered up the field, taking advantage of a misplay in midfield to go up 2-0.
“That was another one where speed kills and if you have a bad touch against a team with speed its trouble,” Horton said. “But that’s a mistake where if we learn from that going forward, we aren’t down 2-0 at half and you have an easier hill to climb.”
The Riders put together better touches, possession and defense in the second half, but couldn’t cut the gap.
“”Our passing and offense is getting better, but we aren’t there yet. We are moving the ball downfield and waiting to see where the run is going to come from,” Horton said.
Port Angeles (4-2-0) visits Bremerton on Tuesday.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at mcarman@ peninsuladailynews.com.