KINGSTON — For the seventh time in 11 seasons, the Kingston boys soccer teams reigns atop the Olympic League.
A golden goal by senior Ian Lanfear lifted the Buccaneers to a 3-2 overtime victory over Sequim, giving them the three points necessary to clinch the league championship.
Just three minutes into overtime, Lanfear received a pass back from forward Henry Golden and let loose a shot from about 25 yards out. The Sequim keeper was caught off his line and was helpless as the ball sailed over his head and into the net. The celebration quickly ensued.
“I think the best part about that was it was at home,” Lanfear said after the game. “And we got to do it in front of a good crowd.”
The bleachers were full of supporters, who were treated to a highly entertaining contest. Kingston and Sequim have each averaged more than three goals per game this season and showed why under the Friday night lights.
Henry Golden, among the Olympic League’s leading scorers, added two more to his senior season resume, giving him 20 on the year. His first goal came four minutes into the game as a free kick by Davey Anderson dropped right to his feet and he deposited the ball into the net.
Five minutes later, after Sequim had already tied the game 1-1, Golden converted on a rebound after Luke Reeder hit the post on a wicked shot from the top of the 18-yard box.
“I just always seem to find myself in the right place,” Golden said.
After Ryan Tolberd scored his second goal of the game for Sequim to tie the affair at 2-2, Kingston had found itself in an unusual situation. The Buccaneers had only conceded five goals in league play entering the match, but injuries to the back four and Sequim’s aggressive offensive tactics — the Wolves needed three points to stay in the hunt for a league title, and thus played a more attacking style — left the defense a little more vulnerable than normal. Starting center back Adin Bowers missed the game and center back Anderson had just returned to the lineup for the first time since being injured against Port Angeles.
“I’ve had to switch guys around; it’s a chess game,” head coach Craig Smith said.
The defenses stabilized from there on out, but the two teams continued to play at an exciting pace.
Sequim dominated much of the second half and was nearly rewarded for it. In the 78th minute, Tolberd was sprung free on a long pass out of the Wolves’ half. The sophomore forward perhaps felt a bit of pressure from the closing Kingston defenders, so he attempted to beat Bucs keeper Ian Schmid up high instead of tucking the ball into a low corner. The ball clanked off the woodwork instead.
With the win, the Buccaneers will have eight days between games. The district playoffs get underway Saturday, May 5, but Kingston will receive a first-round bye and play at 5:30 p.m. on May 8, likely at either North Kitsap or Silverdale Stadium.
The long layoff will certainly help players rest up and recover, but it will be paramount for them to keep sharp without any more games to test them.
— Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com. Follow him on Twitter @MKrulishKDN.
