Hazen soccer falls to Auburn Mountainview but will play Saturday to keep season alive

Published 2:26 pm Friday, November 8, 2013

Auburn Mountainview, the top team in state handed Hazen Soccer a 4-0 loss Thursday night at the Kiggins Bowl in Vancouver, but that does not mean the end of the season for the Highlanders.

Hazen still has a game Saturday where a win could put them into the state tournament for the first time since 1992.

According to The Daily Columbian, GHSL’s No. 4 team, Prairie, beat Narrows League’s No. 3 team, North Thurston, 3-2 last night to set up the winner to state loser out game between the Falcons and Highlanders.

The kickoff is 2 p.m. Saturday at Highline Stadium.

Hazen Coach Ken Matthews said the Highlanders have faced two very good teams (No. 1- and No. 7-ranked state teams) in these first two rounds.  “Auburn Mountainview and Columbia River have team speed that we didn’t see in the Seamount League. They were in our deep midfield and defense so quick and with so much pressure we can’t get into our pass and move game,” Matthews said. “Lots of open areas on the field, but when you’ve got two players in your face and no time, that pass into space just isn’t there.”

That pressure has caused few goal scoring opportunities for Hazen – 10 combined shots in the last two games compared to averaging 15 shots a game in their previous 15 games.

“I’m still optimistic we can reverse those numbers Saturday and get to The Dance. Then you never know what happens after that,” Matthews ended.