Keeping their hot streak alive with an early goal, the Hazen Highlanders soccer team on Tuesday jumped out to a quick lead over Foster and held on for a 7-2 win.

Foster had been on an eight-game unbeaten streak coming in, including an April 4 victory over the Highlanders.

“Nasir (Foster Coach Nasir Turay) and I have coached together the last five years in girls and boys seasons,” said Hazen Coach Ken Matthews in a press release. “He’s a great guy and gets my vote for Coach of the Year almost every season because he does such a good job. I wish he hadn’t done so well against us the first time this year.”

Since that loss, Matthews has made a major change to the formation and moved players into new spots. That meant a few players got a chance to “re-tryout.” Some of those opportunities have paid off in huge dividends for the Highlanders.

In what Matthews characterized as a “dream start,” Hazen jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first minute when senior midfielder and captain Luis Puga scored off an assist from Jorman Gonzales. Seven minutes later, forward Isaiah Blount scored off an assist from defender and captain Kyle Bunell.

At 26 minutes, midfielder Ryan Wong picked up an “impossible angle goal” off an assist from Gonzales, who then picked up a goal of his own off an assist from Nick Smith with three minutes left in the half.

In the second, midfielder Ethan Kem teamed up with Sophomore Mid Reyes Garcia. Foster scored a minute later. But Gonzales (goal) and Blount (assist) got things back under control six minutes later and forward Justice Arhu scored on an assist by midfielder Logan Dickman with seven to go in the game.

Foster scored a late goal, but it was not enough.

Hazen is 7-2-4 overall after the win, 6-1-4 in the Seamount League. They are scheduled to play Lindbergh Friday at Renton Memorial Stadium.