Hounds score late, beat Ridgeline 1-0
On Tuesday, Boys’ Soccer headed north to face 3A Ridgeline for a non-league match-up. The Greyhounds were coming off a two-game season opener on the westside of the Cascades. Pullman knocked off 4A Inglemoor 2-0 at Pop Keeney Field and dropped a tough match 3-2 to 3A Lake Washington in Kirkland. The Falcons were coming off a 5-2 victory over 2A West Valley on Monday night.
Most grass fields in the region are still unplayable for games as winter continues to linger well into March; fortunately, Ridgeline, being a new school, has a turf field. Many Pullmanites are still lamenting the fact that the school didn’t include a turf field in the bond when they went to voters for the remodel of Pullman High School. The only real issue with Ridgeline’s field is that it is lined at 60 yards wide when it could very comfortably by set at 70, disappointing in that regard.
The JV squad played the first game of the night — their season opener.
Despite a 0-0 scoreline at halftime, the Hounds clearly had the run of play. The goals eventually came. Spidey Wolsborn launched a direct free kick from 25 to put the Hounds up 1-0 in the 60th minute. The flood gates then opened with the Hounds getting goals from Isaiah Bischoff, Kwaku Charles, and nice header goal by Matthew Strenge on a corner from Charles. 4-0 for the Hounds and a clean sheet for Milo Wexler.
In the night cap, the varsity squad face a quality side win the Falcons — plenty of speed, good possession coming out of the back, physical, and well-organized. Ridgeline’s qualities resembled Lake Washington; however, the Falcons lacked a one-v-one artist and consistent threat in the final third. Ridgeline only managed to put five shots on frame for the game, and forced Pullman keeper Aaron Oatley only into three routine saves on the night.
Pullman’s centerbacks were able to consistently foil and frustrate the Falcon’s attack. Junior Ben Campbell was dominant in the first half, and Senior Clay Johnson was exquisite in the second.
Junior holding-mid Evan French took a tough knock in the 6th minute and was done for the night. Junior Leon Lange was an absolute workhorse for the Hounds, controlling the middle third of the field most of the night. Ridgeline’s defense kept the Dollin brothers at bay most of the evening, stifling any attacking opportunities. Finally in the 65th minute, Clarens Dollin created enough separation from his defender to knock on a ball to his brother, Carlens who in turn scored his fourth goal of the young season.
The Hounds were effective with clock management down the stretch and were able to secure the victory.
Pullman hosts University on Monday, March 20 at Windy Gulch.
