The Hazen Highlander soccer team picked up its first win in the North Puget Sound League on Thursday, besting Kent Meridian 2-0.

Hazen had a rough start to the match, losing two regulars to groin injuries and another to a stomach bug within the first 10 minutes and nether team was able to break through in the first half.

“We have a pretty interesting group this year. I feel comfortable if I asked any of them to fill a position they never played before they’d just say ‘sure,’” Coach Ken Matthews said in an email of his team covering for the injures.

But six minutes into the second half, Madison Taylor took an assist from Madison Kem and put it in the back of the net for her fourth goal on the young season.

Then, with 13 minutes left, Allison Sargeant scored on an assist from Haley Orozco to pick up an insurance goal.

Matthews cited the play of midfielder Kem as the key to Highlanders victory.

“Maddog’s work rate was off the charts,” he said. “She took the  term ‘run to the box’ literally and it made the difference for us tonight.”

Hazen is now 2-2 on the season overall and 1-1 in the NPSL. They travel to Kentwood on Tuesday.