KINGSTON – Some would call it a lucky goal, but all that matters is that it was a goal.

North Kitsap High School midfielder Spencer Black’s shot in the 74th minute against Kingston High gave his team a 1-0 lead and eventually the win Thursday night.

“We talked about it at halftime,” North Kitsap coach Chris May said. “‘Just put the ball on the frame, and hopefully something good will happen.’”

With the win, North Kitsap improved its season record to 8-0. Kingston dropped to second place in the Olympic League, at 8-1 overall.

“Both teams played their hearts out out there,” May said. “You’ve got to give Kingston credit for playing as hard as they did. I thought for sure we were going to overtime.”

The two North End teams showed why they were both undefeated going into Thursday’s match. Both sides played stout defense throughout, and shots on goal were held to a minimum.

“Even sides, undefeated teams, it’s going to be a pretty even match the whole time,” Black said. “That’s what I was thinking going in.”

Brian Bain had Kingston’s best chance just two minutes before Black’s goal. Sandwiched between two North Kitsap defenders, Bain fought his way to an open spot 15 yards out and ripped a shot on goal.

“He had two guys on him, somehow he came through underneath the pile and the goalie made a great save,” Kingston coach Craig Smith said.

On the Vikings’ next trip down the field, Black trapped a ball 20 yards out, directly in front of the left post. He boomed a quick, low-flying shot toward the goal, which ricocheted off a Kingston defender and squeezed itself inside the left goalpost.

“It was just one of those unlucky things that happens,” Smith said.

The match was the third time the sides have met, and each meeting has been close. Neither team has scored more than one goal in any of the three matches. North now leads the series, 2-0-1.

Many of the opposing players play together on club teams, which makes for a friendly but sometimes heated rivalry on the field.

“They’re all pretty good players,” Black said of the Kingston squad. “I’ve played with maybe half of them.

You’re not friends during the game, and then you’re friends after the game. That’s usually how it works.”

Both teams still have a difficult schedule ahead of them. Kingston will host Metro League powerhouse Bainbridge High Monday, while North’s next game is at home Tuesday against North Mason.