Shutting out the competition

KINGSTON — Beginner’s luck, no. A talented group of driven and soulful soccer players, yes. In its first year of existence — and its first time ever playing together as a team — the Kingston High soccer stars lead the Olympic League, said KHS head coach Craig Smith. The Buccaneers league record: three wins and a tie. The overall record: four wins and two ties.

KINGSTON — Beginner’s luck, no. A talented group of driven and soulful soccer players, yes.

In its first year of existence — and its first time ever playing together as a team — the Kingston High soccer stars lead the Olympic League, said KHS head coach Craig Smith.

The Buccaneers league record: three wins and a tie. The overall record: four wins and two ties.

The team of sharp-shooters scored 10 goals in its last two games. Four of which were against Olympic League competitors the Sequim Wolves, in a game played at North Kitsap Stadium on Thursday evening. The Bucs shut out the Wolves 4-0.

“We really opened it up tonight,” Smith wrote in an e-mail. “I’m really lucky to coach these guys. We’re bringing quite a mix together and we are just beginning.”

Watching the team play the Wolves one might not know it’s just beginning. The passes were clean and on target. The KHS kickers were all over the ball. The Bucs moved fast, constantly sprinting for the steal. Kingston controlled the ball 65 percent of the contest.

The Bucs’ success truly comes from playing together as one unit. Kingston’s four scores came from the efforts of five players, while goalie Devin Langaker tallied his fifth shutout in six games.

Within the first nine minutes of play KHS’s Bobby Catania — assisted by Josh Gilson — found the back of the net. At the 20 minute mark, Gilson took control and nailed the team’s second goal. In the 58th minute, Brian Bain used a little fancy footwork to steal the ball and send it sailing between the goal posts. And with four minutes remaining, John Troka, who owns the field whenever he’s on it, sent in a long free kick that found Riley Anderson, who headed it into the net. Gilson jumped in front of the Wolves’ goalie to open the path for Anderson.

“We have come along way,” Smith said. “Defense is strong and consistent.”

On Tuesday at NK Stadium the Bucs shut out Olympic League’s North Mason 6-0.

Today the Bucs play what could be their biggest game of the season — a non-league match up against the North Kitsap Vikings. The game starts at 1:45 p.m. on Kingston’s Buccaneer Field.

“It will be the biggest event yet to be played on our school grounds,” Smith said. “Hopefully we will have as many people show up rooting for KHS as North does.”

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