NK scores 6 goals against scrappy Bucs
Published 1:30 am Friday, October 13, 2023
North Kitsap’s offensive firepower rifled six goals in a girls soccer victory over the Kingston Buccaneers Oct.12.
“We had to earn those six goals,” NK coach Travis Rider said. “They defended well and have an excellent goalie.”
Evelyn Beers was an unstoppable force through most of the game, scoring two goals and assisting on two more. Her first goal came five minutes into the game when the ball deflected off Kingston’s Leighton Menge.
The Vikings fired a few more shots before Kingston’s Paiton Leiblod gave the Bucs their first shot on net halfway through the first half. However, the Vikings countered immediately after.
NK’s Campbell Weible blasted the goal kick to Syleena Hogan at midfield. Hogan headed the ball past the defense and toward Beers on the sideline. Beers drove down the sideline before crossing Olivia Cary for the second goal.
“It’s a lot of fun to watch, and it is really fun to work with them,” Rider said. “The creativity and connection they are building is invaluable.”
Beers assisted Hogan with 18 minutes left for the third goal, and Beers scored her second goal a minute later. Once Beers reached the two goals, Menge was destined to shut down the Viking forward. She made double-digit saves, including a diving one near the end of the half to stop Beers from scoring a hat trick.
“She’s probably the best keeper in the state,” Kingston coach Mark Fleck said. “She was our player of the game tonight. When you stop twenty shots; we are fortunate to have her.”
As the second half began, the game became a closer battle. “We made some good changes at halftime that led to us having more opportunities,” Fleck said. “It’s a work in progress. We keep getting better every time we get on the field.”
NK’s Emma Bond scored on a deflection within the first two minutes of the second half. Leibold pressured Weible with a couple of shots on target. Yet, she was able to stop the attack and set up the Viking offense.
Bond assisted Cary for the final goal for the Vikings. However, Kingston was destined to add a late goal too. Buc Kate Collins intercepted a pass from a defender and marched on a breakaway. With a few minutes remaining, Collins found the back of the net to end the game at 6-1.
“I’m super proud of the girls,” Fleck said. “North is an unbelievable team, and their overlaps are hard to stop. Our girls were up for the battle, and we had a good fight with them.”
