LYNDEN — Lynden boys soccer opened Northwest Conference play with a dominant 4-0 victory against Lakewood at Bender Fields Tuesday, March 18.
“It’s nice to be 2-0,” Lions’ coach Drew Smiley said. “It was our first league game so it puts us at the top of the table — which is nice. Today I saw some more guys improving, too.”
The Lions (2-0, 1-0 NWC) scored their first goal in the fifth minute of the game when Lakewood’s goalie deflected a shot into the middle of the 18-yard box, allowing Lynden forward Tatius Robinson to collect the rebound and score.
I really liked Tatius today,” Smiley said. “He came to us as a center back but I think he played very well today as a center forward.”
Gallery: Lynden boys spread the scoring in win over Lakewood
Lakewood (1-1, 0-1 NWC) tried to respond in the 10th minute after their forward juked Lynden’s goalie Austin Postma but failed to get a shot on net as the defense swarmed the ball and cleared it.
“We have a freshman goalkeeper and he had his second shutout and a young backline,” Smiley said. “We gave up a few early chances and have to get used to this grass.”
In the 24th minute, Lynden’s Julian Tellez-Castellon dribbled along the left sideline and sent a low cross to Justin Stenier, who tapped the ball into the lower right corner for the second goal.
In the second half, Victor Huaracha had a ball land at his feet after a Lakewood defender tried to clear a cross. He fired a shot into the upper left corner for the third goal in the 43rd minute. After a couple missed headers, Malachi Koenen capped off the game with a header for the fourth goal off a corner kick from Huaracha in the 65th minute.
“(Having four guys score) is nice because it spreads us and we scored in a lot of ways today,” Smiley said. “It is good to have variety.”
Lakewood had a final opportunity a couple minutes later and sailed it over the bar and Lynden secured the win.
The Lions continue will conference play when they travel to Squalicum at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 20. The Storm opened their season against Ferndale Tuesday night.
“It’s going to be like getting on a wild roller coaster and hanging on for dear life and hoping we got everything together,” Smiley said. “We are going to learn a lot on Thursday night.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
