The Vashon High School boys’ varsity soccer team had its first league game last Tuesday. The game was played at home against the Charles Wright Academy Tarriers and ended in a 4-1 loss.

The game started out slowly with Vashon having only a few shots on goal, but Charles Wright had their first goal just five minutes into the game.

Vashon’s defense was led by Elliott Eades and Kieran Enzian, who worked very hard after the goal by Charles Wright. There were no more goals in the second half and Pirates Finley Oswald and Zane Bork had shots on goal, but none went in.

The second half started and Charles Wright scored again just four minutes in, then again three minutes later. It was now 3-0 and the Pirates were working very hard to try and get a goal with solid passing through the midfield.

Finally, in the 58th minute, Pirate Sam Foucault passed to Julian White-Davis who got a beautiful goal. It was a high floater that dropped in behind the Charles Wright goalkeeper. Both teams were playing hard and Vashon was trying to create a comeback, but the Tarriers scored again with just three minutes remaining in the game. Vashon fought hard, but in the end, lost 4-1.

Vashon’s Pirates had their second league game of the week on Thursday against the Seattle Christian Warriors. The Pirates were led by captains Foucault and Bork with Richard Rivas in the goal.

This game also started out slowly, with good runs from Bork and Oswald. Vashon had good shots on goal from Foucault, but both teams played well with good defense, meaning there were no goals scored in the first half.

The second half had more action with Coach Ben Bork putting Oswald in the middle, but it wasn’t until the 52nd minute that Vashon’s Ryan Weller had a great throw-in to Oswald who took a beautiful shot on goal. The ball rocketed into the back of the net. But the lead was shortlived. In the 73rd minute, Seattle Christian got a goal, leaving the score at 1-1 at the end of the game. League rules state that two five-minute overtime halves must be played. It was a chance for the Vashon Pirates to break the stalemate. Despite breakaways from Zane Bork and Foucault their hard work was not fruitful and the game ended in a tie.

The Pirates took on Tenino at home Monday after press time and will finish the week with a game against The Bush School Friday at Starfire Sports complex in Tukwila.

— Mari Betybiere is a Vashon High School student, girls’ soccer player and boys’ soccer team manager.