The Juneau-Douglas High School boys soccer team beat Eastlake High School in Seattle on Thursday night, overcoming the Washington team 2-1 in 85-degree heat.
“We played them last year in a driving rainstorm. … Yesterday it was 85, the complete opposite,” coach Gary Lehnhart said. “They really outplayed us last year, but we surprised them (this year).”
The Crimson Bears scored both their goals in the first half.
Lehnhart said his side controlled the flow of the game more against Eastlake compared to Wednesday’s loss to Issaquah, and the Crimson Bears were able to facilitate more chances out of the back line on Thursday.
JDHS scored their first goal in the 28th minute off the foot of a senior defender.
“JJ Mosher took a second corner, because it got knocked right back out to him, and Garrett Mayer volleyed it into the far post. It was a nice goal,” Lehnhart said.
The Crimson Bears scored again 30 seconds before halftime.
“Oswaldo Magallenes got a ball on the counter attack, beat two players and passed it through to a wide open Sherrod Miller, who beat the goalkeeper,” Lehnhart said.
Eastlake cut holes in JDHS’ defense in the second half, but senior goalkeeper Hunter Pegues kept the clean sheet until the closing minutes, deflecting at least three shots that were “ticketed for the back of the net,” according to Lehnhart.
Eastlake put a goal through with seven minutes to go, but the Crimson Bears held possession in the closing minutes to run out the win.
JDHS plays Bothel at 5:30 p.m. today. Look online at juneauempire.com for the score.