Eatonville soccer gets dramatic win

The Eatonville High School boys soccer team had a minor setback last week when the Cruisers ran into the No. 1-ranked team in the state, Montesano. The Bulldogs snapped the Cruisers’ six-game win streak when they downed Eatonville, 4-1, at Jack Rottle Stadium in Montesano on April 12.

Montesano's Mateo Sanchez recorded a hat trick in the first half that included a bicycle kick goal.

In the second half, Eatonville sophomore Victor Peña scored the Cruisers’ lone goal from an assist by senior Kevin Tomyn.

Montesano’s Felix Romero scored the Bulldogs’ final goal as the Cruisers fell, 4-1.

Trentten Cressman led the Cruiser defense with 12 stops, followed by Gage Cornwell with six. Nathaniel Goode had 11 blocks/saves in goal for Eatonville.

Eatonville coach Clinton Tomyn said he was pleased with his team despite the loss.

“I felt pretty good at how we played them,” he said. “I can see why they’re ranked No. 1 in the state, and it gives the team inspiration knowing that we should go far into the playoffs.”

On April 10, Eatonville traveled to Elma and came away with a 1-0 victory.

The Cruisers struck first in the opening 20 minutes with a goal by senior Riley Rockey with an assist from Tomyn.

The Cruisers’ defense stood strong in this game. Both teams battled with only a minimum of shots and shots on goal. Elma striker Cason Seaberg was frustrated by the Cruiser defense on multiple shots as the Cruisers prevented any scores.

Cressman led the shutout on defense with nine key defensive plays followed by Josiah Goode and Nicholas Holder with four each. Nathaniel Goode gets the credit for the shutout with 11 blocks/saves in the goal box.

The Cruisers finished the week off with a long road trip up to Forks to take on the Spartans.

Forks struck first in the opening 20 minutes, but the Cruisers tied things up at 1-1 on a Josiah Goode goal.

The game was a defensive battle the rest of the way with momentum swinging toward an Eatonville win.

At the end of regulation time and during two 5-minute stoppage time terms, the Cruisers pounded the goal with multiple shots, only to be stopped by the Spartan goalkeeper, and the game stayed knotted at 1-1 at the end of the overtime period.

The match then went into the penalty-kick phase to decide a winner.

After both teams traded goals, the game came down to Victor Peña Moreno.

Cool as ice, Victor approached the shot, “Like he has hundreds of times in practice, put the ball down and swiftly shot right side as the goalie dove left,” coach Tomyn described. “Goooaaal! The team and our supporting crowd went wild! The team charged the field, hugged and hoisted Victor onto their shoulders.”

The Cruisers took the victory on penalty kicks and improved their record to 7-2, with both losses coming at the hands of the No.1 Montesano.

“These young men have no quit in them,” Tomyn said. “I’m very proud.”

Next, Eatonville will travel to Hoquiam to play the Grizzlies at 5 p.m. Wednesday before finishing off the week at home. The Cruisers will host Senior Night on Friday at B.W. Lyon Stadium at Eatonville High. They invite everyone to come and recognize the senior players.

The game will start at 7 p.m., with the senior recognition ceremony taking place at 6 p.m.