On Monday, April 18, the Vashon High School boys’ soccer team played Cascade Christian at Bonney Lake High School and came away with the win.

Two minutes into the game, senior Bohdin Mozeleski put in a cross to sophomore Zane Bork, who banged it home for an early lead. Just minutes later, Cascade Christian had a breakaway at midfield, and Vashon freshman Luis Eicher-Lyons pulled the player down from behind, which resulted in a yellow card. While that play did not result in a goal for Cascade, it did manage one after a defensive mishap around midfield allowed a fast break down the right side. It was then 1-1.

There were a number of typically powerful plays through senior Anthony Gateman at the wing position. Parent Joe Reoux noted that “passing from the big fellas on the right” resulted in a play from Gateman to Mozeleski, who drilled it past the keeper. Mozeleski said after the game it was an incredible pass, pulling two defenders in, then threading the needle between them, leaving him wide open in front of the net. This made it 2-1 at halftime.

Elliot Eades played another outstanding defensive game, with one memorable play in which he battled through three defenders and got the ball to Gateman, who then put it back to Eades on the wing, who had sprinted past everyone and then had a one-on-one with the goalie that was somehow stopped.

VHS was in the ascendency throughout, though Brett Beardsley in goal also did his job making saves as needed, but nothing too troubling for his skills. For the most part, the center midfielders Sam Foucault and Ben Gass won the ball.

Another Eades defensive play got the ball to Gateman, who got it through midfield, and then there was a flurry of passes near the far corner of the box. Sam Briggs made an incisive pass through the melee to an open Bernard Cowen, who zipped the ball past the keeper and into the net for a score of 3-1 Vashon.

Mozeleski subbed himself out to give Eicher-Lyons some well-earned time up in attack and challenged the up-and-comer to make the time count — and he did. Out of midfield, it was Cowen, to Foucault, to an ever-sprinting Eicher-Lyons, who took the pass, and despite being tripped in the box, kept his feet, maintained his run and did what he likes best: pound it by the keeper. The final score was 4-1, Vashon.

On Friday, Vashon had a rematch against Seattle Christian, which the team had beaten 1-0 in March at home. This game was at the Valley Ridge fields near the airport. This was an important game for both teams. With a Vashon loss, Seattle Christian would be roughly tied with them in the standings, while a win would solidify a league slot for Vashon.

Seattle Christian came to play, displaying solid speed down either flank and putting in a number of dangerous crosses early. After a slightly late and hard tackle getting only part of the ball and plenty of foot, hardworking Eicher-Lyons was yellow-carded near the corner flag. On the ensuing direct kick, a tall Seattle Christian player used his height (and a fair amount of Kieran Enzian’s shoulder) to get up high and headed the ball hard into the corner of the net, taking an early 1-0 lead.

Vashon then settled in to the game and put a number of chances together, including two in the first half off the cross bar. Gateman was active down the right side and, using his strength, put the ball hard and low through the crowd in the box. Eicher-Lyons was just outside the 6-yard box, with his back to Gateman, but somehow turned and saw the ball. He kicked it off the side of his foot nearly straight up, but into the crossbar, and it ricocheted in for a goal to even the score.

This was how the game ended, at 1-1.

League standings are Charles Wright in first with five wins; Vashon in second with three wins, one tie and one loss and Seattle Christian in third with two wins, one tie and two losses.

The Pirates play at home today, Wednesday, against Cascade Christian, and on Friday they take on rivals and league leaders Charles Wright. Both varsity games start at 6 p.m.

— Greg Martin is the father of two high school athletes.