By Richard Walker

rwalker@soundpublishing.com

POULSBO — Klahowya defended its leadership of the Narrows/Olympic Conference by defeating North Kitsap 16-12 at Strawberry Field, April 26.

But the Eagles’ win didn’t come easy.

North was up 2-1 at the end of the first. Klahowya edged ahead 7-5 at the half. North stayed with Klahowya point for point in the third, but Klahowya put six more goals on the scoreboard to North’s four to preserve the lead.

The coaches were as active on the sidelines as their players were on the field: “Communicate!” “You gotta help out!” “You gotta go to the ball!” “One more round!” “No rush. Settle the ball!” “Move our feet!”

Both sides played aggressive man-to-man defense. There was no room for error; in this game, every slip counted.

“We accumulated 8 minutes and 30 seconds of penalty time. That killed us,” North Kitsap coach Joseph Bates said. “We played good lacrosse and I’m proud of my players. If we didn’t have so many penalties I believe the outcome would have been different.”

Austin Keller led Klahowya with five goals, one assist and seven ground balls. Klahowya goalie Kyle Bergman had 15 saves before being relieved by Jon Tammen, who stopped one North goal attempt.

Kellson Arthurs led North with five goals and five ground balls. Freshman goalie Ian Poffenroth got a workout, facing 21 shots and stopping five in 48 minutes of play.

All told, seven Klahowya players contributed goals; six North players scored. Klahowya recovered 43 ground balls to North’s 45. Klahowya had nine assists to North’s five.

North is now 5-5-0, 5-6-0 and four games back with three left in the season: two against 1-7 Port Angeles on April 28 and May 5, and the regular-season closer with undefeated Gig Harbor on May 10.

“As the No. 3 seed out of our league, we earn a playoff berth, so long as we finish strong in our last three games,” Bates said.

Klahowya’s hold on the conference title likely depends on how well the Eagles fare against Vashon, which is 1.5 games back.

Klahowya (9-1-0) goes on to meet Auburn Riverside (1-7-0) in a non-league game April 28, followed by Olympia (0-9-0) on April 30, Vashon (7-2-0) on May 4, and South Kitsap (3-5-0) on May 11.

Vashon faces Olympia (0-9-0) on April 28, Klahowya on May 4, South Kitsap (3-5-0) May 7, and Port Angeles (1-7-0) on May 11. A sweep by Vashon and Klahowya finishes tied for first.

SCORING SUMMARY

Klahowya  1, 6, 3, 6 = 16

North Kitsap 2, 3, 3, 4 = 12

Austin Keller, K, 5 goals, 1 assist, 7 ground balls; Joe Hawley, K, 3 goals, 6 assists, 3 ground balls; Torsten Robinson, K, 3 goals, 0 assists, 11 ground balls; Josh Brandes, K, 2 goals; Roque Blas, K, 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 ground balls; Justin Anderson, K, 1 goal, 0 assists, 4 ground balls; Avery Schuette, K, 1 goal, 0 assist, 1 ground ball; Kyle Bergmann, K, 15 goalie saves, 4 ground balls; Jon Tammen, K, 1 goalie save; Kellson Arthurs, NK, 5 goals, 0 assist, 5 ground balls; Derek Jacobson, NK, 3 goals, 1 assist, 1 ground ball; Adam Wright, NK, 1 goal, 2 assists, 3 ground balls; Matthew Dotterweich, NK, 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 ground ball; Riley Solis, NK, 1 goal, 0 assists, 9 ground balls; Robert Miyoshi, NK, 1 goal; Ian Poffenroth, NK, 5 goalie saves.

LEAGUE LEADERS

Klahowya is 3-0-0 league, 11-1-1 overall in 1A boys soccer. Olympic and Bremerton are 7-2-0 and tied for second in Olympic League boys track. Olympic is 6-1 league, 7-1 overall and in second in Olympic League girls golf. Olympic is 9-0-0 and in first in Olympic League girls track.

For Olympic League schedules, results and updated standings, go to www.olympi cleague.com. For lacrosse schedules, results and updated standings, go to www.sportability.com/spx/Leagues/Client.asp?Cli entID=278