The following is from media releases from Hazen soccer:

With its non-league schedule complete, Hazen waded back into league play at Kent-Meridian Tuesday.

The Royals and Highlanders entertained all game and ended fairly even on the stats sheet and 1-1 on the scoreboard. That came as a surprise to Hazen Coach Ken Matthews.

“I thought we had an advantage in shots but they had one more. Their first goal was probably one of the best long shots I’ve seen in a high school game,” Matthews said.

The score came 13 minutes into the first half. Hazen had its chances in an end to end half. Nothing clicked.

The one statistical area where Hazen had a big advantage was corner kicks; 7-1. With time running down in the second half, Hazen defender Jacob Rasmussen headed a Robbie Schroeder pass past the K-M keeper to tie up the game.

“I was looking at the clock and because of injury time I knew we had about two minutes. Jacob was up for a corner,” said Matthews. “It was a great goal.”

Hazen had two more corners in the last two minutes but couldn’t find the winner.

Rasmussen was named Man of the Match.

Hazen began league play with a home game against Tahoma March 16.

Tahoma rode a first half goal to a 1-0 win.

“First off, I’m not a good loser. Having said that, if you’ve got to lose it has to be an all-out effort,” Matthews said. “The guys did that.”

Hazen outshot the Bears 17 to seven. They had more corners (8 vs. 4) and generally controlled the run of play most of the game.

“We had so many excellent chances. But, this league just punishes you for the littlest thing. They converted their goal after we missed a tackle,” Matthews said. “My positive from tonight is we played a team that is always tough and missed some chances to put them away – maybe that’s the next step for these guys.”

For the second game in a row, Matthews awarded the team the Man of the Match.

JV played Tahoma tough and came away with a 0-1 loss. Volunteer keeper Yafet Dargaze and defender Andrew Chi were co-Men of the Match.

C beat Auburn Mountainview 5-1. Osmin Hernandez had three goals and Mauricio Matom had a goal and three assists. Brandon Diaz had a goal and an assist and Carlos Tojin had a goal and Didier Martinez had an assist. Carlos Tojin was Man of the Match.

Hazen travels to Covington for a 7:30 p.m. kick off against Kentwood Friday, March 23.

The Highlanders and Conquerors are currently 2-1-1 entering Friday’s game.