MSHS VARSITY VS. SKYLINE 0-3

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

This game got away from us early and it was frustrating to see us give up two goals early on which you are then trying to recover from. Skyline are a well coached team and we switched off defensively at key moments collectively which cost us. I was pleased with the way we recovered in the second half and created more chances on goal than Skyline and outpossessed them for long periods of the games. Some injuries to key personel also hindered our chances but I was proud of how we fought throughout the game. We talked about how we should adjust our game to each game situation and win our personal battle and we did this in the second half but unfortunately did not convert our chances to get something from the game. Henry and Zain looked a threat from our left flank and Ryder, Zach, Cade and Jackson continued to work the ball through the middle third and build chances. We will learn from this on to the next game!!!

MSHS VARSITY VS. Issaquah 4-1

Thursday, March 28, 2024

This was our first big test: we have faced some  good teams but none as talented as Issaquah. The first five minutes were scrappy but I thought we had a good spell which saw us nudge ahead and then the red card changed things. We had stressed possession but we continued to go long and concede the ball to a talented albeit depleted front line. Our back four; Henry and Dante in particular were outstanding and we won enough personal battles on the pitch to create chances and finish them off. It was a little closer than it should have been and we have talked about adapting to game situations. Pleased to see Parker on the scoresheet and Zach Ellis.  Zach Ramsey's goal was a thing of beauty and it also lifted the tension we were feeling. Credit to Issaquah for pushing us and I hope we learn from this first taste of King Co: there are so many good teams in our league that it is going to be exciting!! Speaking of which: Skyline Tuesday !!!! Bring friends, family and let’s create a great atmosphere for both squads! Well done to JV for their victory; Beckham’s goal was perfect timing  and John converted well to give the boys breathing space: so cool to see the whole team rushing and  celebrating each goal. Again Issaquah JV are a good side but we continue to build strong performances throughout the JV squad.

MSHS VARSITY VS. LYNNWOOD 8-0

Monday, March 25, 2024

This was a difficult game for both JV and V as we scored early and then what? I thought the boys acquitted themselves with dignity and sportsmanship, more goals for Zach R and Zain. Zach Ellis has made a great start to the year too and deserved his goal. Cade’s effort was a beauty and it’s so great to have such a talented group of midfielders.

MSHS Varsity vs. SAMMAMISH 6-0

Thursday, March 21, 2024

This is a strong 2A team who are well coached and have been to last 8 of state the last two years. We talked about working in and around the opposition penalty area and creating chances.  Zach Ramsey is the heartbeat of the team and it’s been so cool to see him score so many goals: I think he safely holds the record on hat tricks now! Great to see Dawson score one of the goals of the week: he gives us so much energy from full back. And Cody Chung! He deserved his goal and continues to impress defensively as does our whole back line!!! 30 plus shots on goal so mission accomplished!!

MSHS Varsity vs. Eastmont 5-2

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Eastmont are a good team, they feature some outstanding talent and this was a good test of again where we measure against a good team. They had a tough loss against Newport the night before so we knew we were in for a close game on a challenging surface. We didn’t start well, and gave them the ball in our final third creating pressure on our selves that resulted in their first goal. After this we adjusted a couple of things formation-wise but the boys settled down and showed great character to trust their own ability and begin to play some quick counter attacking soccer. Zach Ellis has had a strong start to the season but his run for our first goal epitomized what he’s about: strong running and physicality and linking with teammates to create chances. Our back line was excellent today and was so pleased to see Dawson create a goal in the second half which showed a lot of character and he grew into the game contributing at both ends. Dante and Henry were composed under pressure and pleased to see our senior trio of Curtis, Cody and Dan contributing too. We moved Cade to the base of midfield diamond and he was dominant and we slowly began to boss the game. Jackson showed great composure too and Ryder Bishop was brilliant: he just worked and worked and created space for himself in tight areas creating chances for Zach Ramsey. Zach is a leader and pleased for him to log ‘just another’ hat trick he makes those around him better and we re lucky to have him. Parker also made good contributions both as a striker and in midfield and Zain Thompson looks threatening every time he touched the ball. We’re sharing game time amongst the goalies in preseason so was pleased to say Jordan make a good debut and a couple of good saves from Sebastian in the second half. Logan will get start Thursday and these boys work so hard for the team and each other.

Congratulations to JV and C too, they have started so strongly too. No goals conceded for JV in three games! And they are creating real pressure going forward. The second goal against Eastmont today was such a great team goal with Joel flying down the wing to feed Max with the finish.  Credit to Cooper for his Hat trick last week against Liberty. C team played well today against a physical Eastmont side and earned a well deserved victory too. We must stress that this is preseason and coaches are stressing performances and process rather than results: but by both measures we have made an encouraging start! The boys are having fun too both on and off the pitch and I feel like we’re building something here!

MSHS Varsity vs. Liberty 3-1

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Tuesday saw our first home opener and we were looking to change our style of play a little to find our front three quicker. This worked well in the first half and we were able to create a host of chances: we converted some more difficult chances like Zach’s first but also left some opportunities out there. Max’s goal was a good reward for his pressing and our second goal demonstrates our ability to link play quickly through a quick counter where Zain unselfishly played in Zach for his second. Shout out to our goalies Logan and Sebastian who have also been working hard to link play from the back. Carter Workman has been a standout at the back in the way he has been physical but also kept the ball and linked play.  Second half we played well in patches but faded in others and we talked about the need to play with ball for phases rather than constant quick breaks and counters. Liberty are a top 3A side and so we have been using these preseason games to gage our performances and measure ourselves against teams. We have stressed staying in the moment in practices and in games and we are optimistic that this season will see our hard work and decision making be rewarded with positive results.

MSHS Varsity vs. Cedarcrest 5-0

Saturday, March 9, 2024

This was a perfect opener for us facing a hardworking and competitive Cedarcrest side, they made us work for our chances and we had to stay organized at the back. In this game we worked hard to work on our style of play and begin to build our identity: staying busy on and off the ball and being creative/taking risks in the final third. Great to see Max and Dante get their first Mount Si goals and loved the efforts of our front three strikers who looked threatening throughout.  Our midfield trio worked hard to retain possession and we were able to dictate the game.