MARYSVILLE — The Tommies’ passive-aggressive streak this season hit its pinnacle March 24 against the Eagles.
In a 2-1 Wesco North victory, the Tommies allowed a goal and scored a goal within the first two minutes of play.
“It’s a problem,” said M-P manager Geoff Kittle, who has now seen his opponent score first in each of the four games his team has played. “We’re coming out flat. It’s good that we’re responding, but it’s something we’ve got to fix. I don’t know if it’s a lineup thing or maybe a formation.”
Arlington took a brief 1-0 lead about as quickly as possible, when Joshua Scarth hit a volley from just inside the 30-yard mark over M-P’s back line and into the back of the net.
M-P then got the equalizer a little over a minute later by way of Kevin Spiva’s shot from the edge of the penalty box. Spiva took John Carlson’s cross and one-timed it to the lower left corner for the equalizer.
“It was nice to see Kevin get a response so quick,” said Kittle. “He did the same thing in our first game against Newport. He’s a senior, so those are the kinds of plays we need him to make and he’s doing a great job in the middle for us.”
From that point, the Tommies owned possession for the majority of the match, but it wasn’t until Anthony Johnson took advantage of a relaxed moment in the Arlington defense with a strike from 25 yards out that just beat keeper Corbin Anderson with a kiss off the left post and in.
“That was just a beautiful shot by Anthony — and it was all coaching,” Kittle joked.
Arlington went on the attack with nearly 10 minutes remaining in the match and had a couple chances to score, including a break away in stoppage time by Scarth that was broken up by Tommies keeper Ian Beegle.
The play became quite physical, as bragging rights and conference standings were on the line.
“Well most of these kids play on the same club teams, so they know each other and that’s why it can get like the way it did tonight,” said Arlington manager Mike Gudgeon.
Tommies take down Snohomish
Marysville-Pilchuck has risen to each challenge so far this season, this time beating Snohomish 2-1 in a shootout.
Kyle Reynolds scored M-P’s goal in the 73rd minute and the Panthers responded six minutes later to tie the score.
M-P moves to 5-0 on the season and 4-0 in Western Conference play.
