EVERETT — The Cascade boys soccer team continued its revival on Friday.
Sophomore forward Samuel Agyei scored in the 43rd minute and the Bruins locked down Mariner’s attack to win 1-0 at Goddard Stadium.
The victory was Cascade’s fifth straight and sixth overall this season, which matched the Bruins’ win total over the two previous seasons combined. It also vaulted the Bruins (6-4-1 league, 6-5-1 overall), past the Maruaders (5-4-2, 5-4-2) and into sole possession of second place in the Wesco 4A South under first-year head coach Sam Croft.
“Oh my, this is so exciting,” Croft said. “We started in sixth, but have just notched our way up the standings … having a (Cascade) team up in second is unheard of the last five, six years. It’s very special and we have a great group of guys.” Marcos Lujan created the opportunity for Agyei’s goal early in the second half. The senior midfielder put in a pass from 35 yards out that Agyei was able to head in from 6 yards away.
In a game in which both goalkeepers — Mariner’s Silvan Katynskiy and Cascade’s Scott Pease — had to make “double-digit saves” according to Croft, it was the Bruins defense that bent but didn’t yield. Centerbacks Luis Chavez and Spencer Bowlden, along with outside defenders Nazar Yaychenya and Ben Bledsoe, dealt with the Maruaders’ pressure, especially late in the match.
“Mariner, in the last four minutes, put on a run,” Croft said. “They put a lot of pressure on our defense and keeper, but they didn’t break. They would slow down the attack, win the ball and get us into transition. Our defense played fantastic. I’m so proud of them.”
At Goddard Stadium
Goals—Samuel Agyei (C). Assists—Marcos Lujan (C). Goalkeepers—Cascade: Scott Pease. Mariner: Silvan Katynskiy. Records—Cascade 6-4-1 league, 6-5-1 overall. Mariner 5-4-2, 5-4-2.
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