POULSBO — Despite being down three starting players, and losing another to injury early in the game, the North Kitsap Vikings defeated the Klahowya Eagles 3-1, March 27.
“We struggled early and had to make some adjustments,” head coach Greg St. Peter wrote to the Herald. “Our guys settled down and started playing well.”
Games before spring break can be difficult, with players either out of town, or losing focus. However, they were able to overcome.
North Kitsap’s Nate Rake, with an assist by Zack Klopp, scored in the 34th minute of the first half.
In the second half, Raul DeLuna scored in the 53rd minute for a 2-0 led.
Though the Eagles answered back with a goal in the 55th minute, they wouldn’t get the momentum to catch up.
Near the end of the game, North Kitsap’s Ustav Shaha, with an assist by Sami Klopp, scored the Vikings’ third and final goal in the 75th minute.
The win leaves the Vikings (5-0) at the top of the Olympic League. They are one game ahead of the Kingston Buccaneers (4-1).
The loss for the Eagles (4-2) bumps them down to third.
The Vikings take a break, and return to the field April 8, when they travel to Bremerton to face the Knights.
Game summary
First half — 1, NK, Nate Rake (Zack Klopp), 34th.
Second half — 2,NK, Raul DeLuna, 53rd; 3, Klahowya, 55th; 4, NK, Ustav Shaha (Sami Klopp), 75th.
Olympic League standings
North Kitsap 5-0
Kingston 4-1
Klahowya 4-2
Sequim 3-2
Port Angeles 3-3
Port Townsend 2-3
Bremerton 2-3
North Mason 1-5
Olympic 0-5