2018 Regular and Postseason Match Summaries
September 7. Mount Vernon Christian 6, Grace Academy 0 (at Strawberry Field, Marysville). The Hurricanes opened their 2018 season with a solid offensive and defensive performance in collecting the shutout victory. MVC controlled the midfield and attacking end, while still maintaining a consistent defensive presence that led to some nice counter-attacking throughout the match, especially in the first half. The Hurricanes opened the match scoring in the 13th minute on a Kyler Houck goal, the assist from Canaan VanderArk. Gabe Taylor netted the second MVC goal on an unassisted shot from in front of the Grace goalkeeper. Jacob Hays scored next in the 35th minute. He took a pass outside and lofted a shot from the left-side into the net. Houck closed out the first half scoring after a nifty pass from Taylor in the 37th minute.
VanderArk and Taylor scored MVC’s second half goals in the 45th and 68th minutes respectively. Taylor and Jack Withers had the assists.
Jared Smith in goal, and Micah Hays, Christopher Wyatt, Peter Opp, Austin Lazar and Kendell Lervick in the field, anchored the Hurricanes defense.
Up next for the Hurricanes is a match at home Tuesday, September 11 with Orcas Island, who have many key returnees from their 2B/1B State Final Four team from a year ago.
September 11. Orcas Island 2, Mount Vernon Christian 1 at MVC Varsity Match Field. Orcas Island scored twice in the first half and it was enough for the Vikings to defeat the Hurricanes in their home opener, 2-1. Both goals came from defensive field mistakes committed by MVC. In the 9th minute, Levi Moss was awarded a free kick following a Hurricane foul from just off the corner of the 18-yard box. The well-struck shot deflected off the goalkeeper’s gloves and fell into the net. The Hurricanes struggled with their passing, possession, and pressure during much of the first half, although they did have five shot opportunities at the net. Following an injury that removed the Hurricanes’ starting goalkeeper thirty-minutes into the half, MVC did not get a ball in the box cleared and the Vikings’ Ethan White netted a shot to put Orcas up 2-0 heading to into half.
The Hurricanes came out in the second half and put on a spirited and intense performance. At the 56th minute, following outstanding defensive pressure and much improved ball movement, MVC’s Kyler Houck found Noah Lubbers, who made a move and sent a strong shot past the Orcas keeper, narrowing the lead to 2-1. During the final portion of the half, MVC continued to mount good pressure and took some great looks at goal, but could not beat the Viking keeper again.
September 13. Mount Vernon Christian 2, Lopez Island 0 at MVC Varsity Match Field. MVC picked up their second win of the season with the victory over the visiting Lobos. The Hurricanes scored in the 11th minute with a nice goal from Gabe Taylor to take the early lead. MVC had numerous shots on goal that were turned away by the Lopez goalkeeper during the middle portion of the first half. In the 28th minute, Kyler Houck took a free kick following a Lobo hand ball just a step outside the box. Houck’s shot screamed passed the surprised Lobo keeper. The score was 2-0 at halftime.
During the second half, Lopez continued to employ a strategy that found them with all of their players in their half of the field except on a few occasions when they tried to break out of the back. For the match, Lopez had a few shots, but none that were on goal or a direct threat. Jared Smith recorded the shutout in goal for the Hurricanes.
September 15. Mount Vernon Christian 6, Providence Classical Christian 0 at Twin Creek Field 2 (Bothell). The Hurricanes came out quickly and sent an early message to the Highlanders. MVC used possession, passing, and patience in jumping to the lead, and used a stifling defense led by Christopher Wyatt and Peter Opp to deny Providence any offensive flow. Micah Hays and Canaan VanderArk controlled the midfield and got attacks moving for MVC.
In the 8th minute, a series of combination passes ended with a Gabe Taylor pass to Kyler Houck who buried a shot past the Highlander goalie giving MVC a 1-0 start. Thirteen minutes later, Houck assisted on a goal scored by Jacob Hays. Six minutes before halftime, Houck got free again and scored two more goals in a two-minute span. Luke Gott provided the sweet pass to Houck for the match’s third goal in the 35th minute and Austin Lazar fed Houck in the 37th minute for the Hurricanes’ fourth goal and a halftime lead of 4-0.
In the first minute following the intermission, Taylor worked his way along the endline and lifted a nice, soft shot over the PCC goalie. The Hurricanes closed out the match’s scoring in the 73rd minute when Houck took a free kick 20 yards out front following a hand ball and drove it by the keeper.
September 19. Mount Vernon Christian 6, Concordia Christian Academy 0 at Concordia Schools Field (Tacoma). MVC got off to a quick start, dropping three goals in the first 15 minutes, two of which were scored in the first five minutes of the match in Tacoma. Canaan VanderArk, advancing from the midfield, dished the assist on the Hurricanes’ first goal and scored himself shortly afterward. Gabe Taylor was the recipient for the first goal and VanderArk scored the team’s second goal on a rebound of a Kyler Houck shot. Goals were scored in the 2nd and 5th minute respectively.
Jacob Hays was on the receiving end of a set-up by Noah Lubbers in the 15th minute to stake the Hurricanes to a 3-0 lead. Taylor and VanderArk combined again in the 34th minute to give MVC its 4-0 halftime advantage with Taylor earning the goal.
In the 48th minute, Christopher Wyatt scored on a follow-up off a Houck shot close in on goal. The Hurricanes final goal came after Concordia was called for the obvious takedown in the box. Houck deposited the shot into the back of the net. The Hurricanes were dominant in the midfield and defensively. Most all of the Hurricanes competed well, but Micah Hays provided the communication and leadership on the field to propel MVC.
September 25. Friday Harbor 0, Mount Vernon Christian 0 at Linde Field on Friday Harbor. Friday Harbor wins in Shootout, 3-1. The Hurricanes played well enough to earn the victory, but could not net the winner in regulation or two overtimes, despite having numerous opportunities throughout the match. During the shootout, Friday Harbor put three of four shots from the spot into the goal, while MVC could manage just one of four from the spot.
MVC went toe-to-toe with the undefeated Wolverines. The Hurricanes opened a bit slow throughout much of the first half, as they seemed to adjust to the larger field and Friday Harbor’s formation. The score remained 0-0 at halftime.
A little into the second half, MVC began to connect on combination passes and challenged Friday Harbor better for every ball. Momentum swung to the Hurricanes, but the Wolverine goalkeeper turned a half a dozen shots on goal away. The Hurricanes had three close-in shots that were stopped and Friday Harbor’s defense made one huge play at the right corner of the goal to stop MVC’s final opportunity to win the match.
MVC’s defense competed well in shutting out the Wolverines and offensively, MVC had solid movement, passing, and ten legitimate shots on goal.
September 27. Mount Vernon Christian 16, La Conner 1 at MVC Varsity Match Field. The Hurricanes dropped in five goals in the first twelve minutes of the match. MVC played without three-year starting goalkeeper Jared Smith, who has a potentially season-ending knee injury. Freshman Matthew Wyatt started in goal. During the match, the Hurricanes had ten different team members of the thirteen that suited up for the match, score a goal or offer an assist. Goal scorers included Gabe Taylor (4), Kyler Houck (3), Canaan VanderArk (2), Peter Opp (2), Austin Lazar (2), Noah Lubbers (1), Jacob Hays (1), and Jack Withers (1). Assists were dished out by Taylor (2), VanderArk (2), Lubbers (2), Luke Gott (2), Opp (1), Lazar (1), J. Hays (1), and Kendell Lervick (1).
September 29. Mount Vernon Christian 5, Cedar Park Christian-MLT 1 at Evergreen Fields in Edmonds. MVC got two goals in the final minutes of the first half to secure a 3-0 halftime lead in defeating the host Lions. In the 9th minute, Noah Lubbers took a clever pass from Gabe Taylor and slotted a shot past the CPC goalkeeper. Taylor got into the goal-scoring act in the 38th minute when he scored from a Kyler Houck pass to give MVC a 2-0 lead. Less than a minute later with the Hurricanes pressing forward, Noah Lubbers forced a turnover and worked into the box where he was cut down and a penalty kick was awarded. Houck delivered a clean strike to close out the first half for MVC.
The Hurricanes gave up a disputed goal in the 47th minute, but regained their three-goal cushion in the 51st minute when Houck and Canaan VanderArk connected on a nice combination. Lubbers closed out the match, scoring in the 76th minute following a nice pass from Houck. The Hurricanes defense controlled the midfield well. Kendell Lervick, Peter Opp, Christopher Wyatt and Micah Hays were instrumental in stopping the Lions, and they were supported by Austin Lazar, Jacob Hays, and VanderArk.
October 3. Mount Vernon Christian 4, Grace Academy 0 at MVC Varsity Match Field. MVC scored two goals in each half and defeated the Eagles at home. The Hurricanes used some great defensive pressure and cover to limit the Eagles’ shots on goals throughout the match. At times, MVC used a solid passing and ball movement approach to control much of the action on the field.
Kyler Houck got the Hurricanes going in the 8th minute, scoring from a Gabe Taylor assist. MVC created a great deal of action in front of the goal during the 15th minute, which resulted in a Grace own-goal. The Hurricanes led 2-0 at the break.
The Hurricanes upped their defensive pressure, as well as their offensive efforts to begin the second half and their work ethic resulted in the third goal of the match in the 46th minute. Gabe Taylor scored following an assist by Jack Withers.
MVC’s final goal of the match in the 55th minute came following a great pass from Jacob Hays that Luke Gott put away. Micah Hays led a strong defensive performance, along with defenders Christopher Wyatt, who pushed forward often, and Peter Opp. Kendell Lervick and Austin Lazar were also solid defensively. Canaan VanderArk had a good afternoon in the midfield.
October 6. Mount Vernon Christian 2, Orcas Island 3 (at Dahl Field, Eastsound). The undefeated and top-ranked Vikings remained that way following a hard-fought match in their Homecoming Match on the island Saturday afternoon. Orcas got on the scoreboard first in the 4th minute, but the Hurricanes answered in the 6th minute when Gabe Taylor connected on a ball to Kyler Houck, who knocked a nifty shot past the Orcas goalkeeper to tie the match.
The two teams traded a good number of first half opportunities but neither could score the go-ahead goal. MVC had a chance denied when Taylor got past several Orcas defenders and was taken down hard in the box for what should have been a penalty kick, but no foul was whistled and play continued. The teams went into halftime knotted at one apiece.
Following halftime, Orcas got the go ahead goal in the 58th minute. MVC struggled to get control of the midfield or to even get a counterattack going on the Vikings during the middle portion of the match. Orcas tacked on an insurance goal in the 72nd minute, but the Hurricanes were not quite finished. Houck took a long MVC pass, made several moves, beat two defenders and ripped a shot into goal with two minutes remaining. Unfortunately, Orcas was able to stop any further Hurricane advances and picked up the home win.
October 9. Mount Vernon Christian 6, Lopez Island 0 (at Lopez Island High School). MVC played good combination soccer for eighty minutes and left the island with the victory. The Hurricanes opened the first half scoring in the 3rd minute on a goal by Gabe Taylor following a pass from Jacob Hays. MVC’s other first half goal came when Gabe Taylor connected up with Kyler Houck, who netted the second goal in the 16th minute. The match remained 2-0 until halftime.
Two minutes into the second half, Houck scored his second goal of the match on an unassisted set of moves before scoring. Four minutes later, the Hurricanes scored again to double their halftime lead when Noah Lubbers scored from a Gabe Taylor pass. In the 60th minute, Peter Opp took a free kick near midfield and sent the lofted ball to the foot of Houck, who made a move and scored again for MVC. The Hurricanes final goal of the match came off the foot of Taylor, who had received a nice pass from J. Hays in the 65th minute.
Taylor, J.Hays and Houck controlled the midfield, while the MVC backs, Kendell Lervick, Peter Opp, Christopher Wyatt and Austin Lazar, covered and defended well.
October 12. Mount Vernon Christian 5, Providence Classical Christian 0 at MVC Varsity Match Field. MVC scored three first half goals and connected with two additional scores in the second half in posting the victory. Jared Smith returned to goal and along with his defense, recorded the shutout against the Highlanders at home. Gabe Taylor helped the Hurricanes get their initial goal in the 18th minute when he sent a ball through to Kyler Houck for the goal. Taylor and Houck connected again in the 34th minute except this time Taylor netted the goal from Houck. Right before the halftime whistle, Noah Lubbers got the third goal for MVC.
The Hurricane defenders–Micah Hays, Austin Lazar, Kendell Lervick, Christopher Wyatt and Peter Opp shut down the PCC attack and were able to get balls out on the counterattack through the midfield. MVC also got good field play from Jacob Hays and Luke Gott. In the 61st minute, Taylor struck again with the assist going to Houck. Houck put away a PK later in the match to give MVC the 5-0 District/League win.
October 17. Mount Vernon Christian 2, Friday Harbor 0 at MVC Varsity Match Field. MVC scored two first half goals, kept good defensive pressure on the Wolverines throughout the match, and came away with the victory. The win moved the Hurricanes’ record to 9 ~ 3 in league and 10 ~ 3 overall with two regular season matches remaining and dealt the Wolverines their second loss of the season.
MVC’s first goal came in the 27th minute when Kyler Houck directly beat the Friday Harbor goalkeeper. Then in the 32nd minute, Luke Gott tracked a crossed ball and finished it into the back of the net for the Hurricanes’ second goal. Noah Lubbers was responsible for both assists. That was all the scoring in the match as MVC’s defenders and midfielders kept Friday Harbor from converting the opportunities they had in the second half.
October 22. Mount Vernon Christian 12, La Conner 0 at Jack Whittaker Field (La Conner). The Hurricanes struggled during the first thirty minutes of the first half as La Conner’s defense kept MVC off the scoreboard. The Hurricanes broke through in the 31st minute when Jacob Hays connected with Christopher Wyatt, who opened the scoring. Six minutes later, Gabe Taylor jumped on a ball and went unassisted to the goal and put MVC ahead 2-0. The Hurricanes had the opening kick-off the second half and Kyler Houck scored from a nice assist from Luke Gott in the opening minute. In the 52nd minute, Jacob Hays recorded his first of two goals on the evening with the assist coming from Austin Lazar. Hays scored again in the 61st minute on an assist from Kendell Lervick.
MVC defense did not allow much of an attack from La Conner, and set-up numerous counterattack opportunities for the Hurricanes. MVC, with a variety of team members playing in different positions, ran off five goals in the next eight minutes. Lervick scored for MVC in the 65th minute, the assist coming from Noah Lubbers. Jack Withers scored in the 67th minute, and Houck added another goal in the 68th minute. Canaan VanderArk dished out the assist. Lubbers found the back of the net on a nifty pass from Houck. Houck and Lubbers reversed roles with Houck scoring and Lubbers assisting in the 72nd minute. The Hurricanes final score came on a goal from Luke Gott. Jared Smith was outstanding in goal in recording the shutout for the Hurricanes.
October 23. Mount Vernon Christian 4, Cedar Park Christian-MLT/Shoreline Christian 0 at MVC Varsity Match Field. The Hurricanes knocked in four, first half goals, which proved to be the margin of victory in their final regular season match. MVC scored first in the 16th minute when Gabe Taylor got a ball passed to Kyler Houck who put a shot by the Lion goalkeeper. Houck collected his second goal of the match in the 28th minute. The assist went to Jacob Hays.
Defender Peter Opp took a free kick in the 33rd minute from midfield. His high lofted shot drifted on goal and settled into the back of the net. The final goal of the first half and match came off a series of connected passes, the last coming from Houck to Taylor.
The second half saw the Hurricanes have a handful of good opportunities, but shots were turned away by the Cedar Park Christian goalkeeper. Defensively, MVC performed solidly in recording the shutout in which Jared Smith came up big several times.
END OF THE REGULAR SEASON
October 29. Mount Vernon Christian 1, Life Christian Academy 0 at MVHS Bulldog Stadium. The Hurricanes opened the defense of their 2017 Tri-District Championship with a 1-0 victory over Life Christian Academy. MVC and the Eagles were deadlocked in a scoreless draw at halftime. Both teams had scoring opportunities, but neither could connect with a goal. Life Christian had a solid opportunity late in the half, but MVC’s Christopher Wyatt slid across the corner of the goal and kicked the ball away. The Hurricanes had a handful of shots on goal during the first half.
MVC opened the second half with relentless pressure and double teams that resulted in a number of miscues by the Eagles and potential scoring runs for the Hurricanes. Late in the second half, Gabe Taylor sent a corner kick in from the side. The ball bounced around and a sprawling Kyler Houck put the ball away to give the Hurricanes the lead. MVC’s defense led by Jared Smith in goal, along with Wyatt, Peter Opp, Austin Lazar, Kendell Lervick, Micah Hays, Taylor and Jacob Hays kept the Eagles from advancing and the Hurricanes counterattacked to keep enough offensive pressure up top (from Canaan VanderArk, Noah Lubbers, Taylor, Houck and J. Hays) to seal the victory.
The win advances the Hurricanes to the Tri-District Semi-Finals against Evergreen Lutheran on Thursday, November 1 in Puyallup. The win over the Eagles also clinched a spot in the State 2B/1B Quarterfinals to be held November 10.
November 1. Mount Vernon Christian 0, Evergreen Lutheran 1 at Washington Premier FC Football Fields, Puyallup. The Hurricanes could not gain control of the match early in the first half as they struggled with passing, movement, defending, and solid play. Several strong defensive plays by Christopher Wyatt, Peter Opp, Austin Lazar, Kendell Lervick and goalkeeper Jared Smith kept the match knotted at 0-0 well into the 33rd minute.
At that point, Evergreen Lutheran took advantage of a defensive miscue and an Eagle player got behind the Hurricanes’ backline and put away the first goal of the match. The two teams went to halftime with the score 1-0.
The Hurricanes opened the second half with improved action, movement, possession, and connected passes and had four shots within the first six minutes. MVC continued to apply some newly inspired pressure when a couple of player movements occurred up front and in the midfield. But the Eagles’ defense and goalkeeper kept MVC from tallying the tying goal of the match. The match ended as a 1-0 Eagle victory. With the loss, MVC will move directly to the 2B/1B State Quarterfinal match November 9, where they will play previously undefeated Orcas Island, who lost 1-0 in their Tri-District semi-final match.
2B/1B State Boys’ Soccer Quarterfinals
November 9 at Anacortes High School Stadium. Orcas Island 1, Mount Vernon Christian 0. (Courtesy of Vince Richardson, Skagit Valley Herald)
If Mount Vernon Christian was going to extend its run in the Class 2B/1B State Soccer Tournament beyond the first round, it was going to take something the Hurricanes had been unable to do this season. Beat Orcas Island.
Unfortunately, the Hurricanes were unable to perform that task as the Vikings secured a hard-fought, 1-0 victory on Friday night. The loss ended the Hurricanes’ season with a 13-5 record.
Orcas Island will play Evergreen Lutheran in the state semifinals.
“That game was who we are,” Mount Vernon Christian coach Robert Adeline said. “That game right there was the best soccer we could have played. They gave it their all on this, the season’s 100th participation day, since we had mini-camp in May.
”While it was an energized Hurricanes squad that took to the pitch in the opening minutes of the second half, it was the state’s top-ranked Vikings (16-1) who were able to secure the game winner in the 66th minute.
August Groeninger sent a perfect through-ball to Levi Moss who took one touch before striking the ball from about 20 yards out. Bending it right to left, Mount Vernon Christian keeper Jared Smith gave a great effort on the shot, but the ball snuck under the cross bar and into the upper right corner.
“I am so proud of how this team played,” Adeline said. “We played the best two halves of the season in our final game. You can’t ask for more than that.”
The Vikings were tough in the first half, but Adeline adjusted. “We made two switches,” the coach said. “Two players into different positions. That was it. But it made a big difference.” The Hurricanes had the most dangerous opportunity in the first half. In the 39th minute, Kyler Houck took a free kick from just outside the box. His shot was a laser toward the upper right corner of the goal. Orcas Island keeper Kupono Anuenue made a leaping save, batting the ball down to the turf before it was cleared out of bounds.
Besides an earlier goal kick, it was the second time the Viking keeper had touched the ball.
In the meantime, the Hurricanes defense bent but didn’t break as Orcas Island, spurred on by a rowdy fan base, consistently applied pressure with low, quick passes out of the back, the majority of which resulting in corner kicks.
Mount Vernon Christian didn’t panic in the back and managed to clear the ball following each opportunity.
“It’s just abrupt,” Adeline said. “Just like that, the season is over. It was a great game. We had our chances and our pressure in the second half was outstanding. This team gave it their all and that is all you want as a coach.”
