The first league match for South Kitsap’s boys soccer team didn’t go according to plan as the Wolves fell to Emerald Ridge 4-0 April 1 in Port Orchard.

“I think overall it was a good test, [but] it didn’t go the way we wanted,” SK goalkeeper Cole Meyers said. “But I think it’s some great exposure, especially just coming into league play.”

Meyers incurred a barrage of shots on goal for the majority of the first twenty minutes of the first half, saving all of them. Nonetheless, the Jaguars were able to put their first goal in with 23 minutes remaining in the half, their offensive control proving to be an issue for SK early on.

Forward Xander Zusy had an opportunity to put in a goal for the Wolves with 15 minutes remaining in the half but couldn’t attempt a shot, turning the ball over to the Emerald Ridge goalkeeper. As a result, the Jaguars were able to put in another goal on Meyers, pushing the lead to 2-0 with 13 minutes remaining in the half.

Midfielder Ismael Perez Valle earned a corner kick off an Emerald Ridge turnover with less than ten minutes remaining in the half, but couldn’t convert it into a goal.

The first ten minutes of the second half drew similar parallels to the beginning of the first half, with both teams feeling each other out. The Jaguars were able to get the first shot on goal in the half on Meyers at the 34-minute mark.

The Jaguars put in their third goal of the game at the 26-minute mark, capitalizing on SK turnovers and keeping the ball in Wolves’ territory.

Midfielder Gabe Filonov managed to get a one-on-one opportunity with a Jaguar defender with 17 minutes remaining in the game, but couldn’t convert.

Valle earned an opportunity for an SK score off of a penalty kick with less than ten minutes remaining, but ended up missing the back of the net.

“We could have really cleaned up our passes and our touches,” Meyers said. “It showed us what’s going to work against league opponents [and] what’s not going to work.”