MARYSVILLE — The Marysville-Pilchuck boys soccer team beat Cascade High School during their home game on Friday, April 13.
The Bruins scored early in the first half of the game, but the Tomahawks were able to quickly regain an edge when senior Sean Wagner scored their first goal, with sophomore Aron Galvan assisting and senior Anthony Johnson scored the second, assisted by Wagner, shortly before half-time. The final goal of the game was scored by Johnson, with Wagner assisting, in the second half.
“Anthony and Sean both had a real good game,” said M-P Varsity Head Coach Paul Bartley. “I thought we played well. We ran a new system for the first time, which they were getting used to.”
Despite their win over the Bruins, the Tomahawks still faced some challenges with that team. “They are a really tall team, which is tough for us because we’re not that big,” said Bartley. “They had some guys in the 6’4” to 6’5” range, we had to keep them out of a corner situation.”
On the defense, seniors Gunner Stohl and Corey Coombs played a tough game protecting the goal from the Bruins’ offense. The game marked the first start of the year for goalkeeper Ryan Spiva, an M-P sophomore. Spiva was in the net when the Bruins scored their only goal by putting pressure in toward the net and passing it through. “I think he did a good job,” said Bartley.
The Tomahawks are set to play a home game against Mariner High School on April 18. “They are a really quick team,” said Bartley. “We’ll be going over the film from this game and we’ll get ready for them as best we can.”
The Tomahawks, ranked third in the Wesco North 4A division, have a record of 4-4-1 in the league and 4-5-1 overall. They are set to play an away game against the Monroe Bearcats on April 20 and a home game against the Lake Stevens Vikings on April 24.
“Right now, we are about where we thought we’d be and we’re improving dramatically,” Bartley said. “If everything stays the way it is, we’ll be good going into the playoffs.”