On Friday April 19, the Issaquah JV Boys soccer team delivered an excellent performance, securing am impressive 7-0 victory against Newport.
Right from the kickoff, Issaquah seized control of the game with a rapid attack that resulted in an early goal just a minute into the match. The crowd erupted as an absolute missile from outside of the box found the back of the net, delivered by the precision of junior Jacob Tam, setting the tone for what would be a dominant display of soccer.
As the game progressed, Issaquah’s offense continued to rip shots on Newport. Freshman Tyler CarMichael came agonizingly close to extending the lead with a powerful strike that sailed just inches over the crossbar, resulting in Newport switching to a more defensive playing style.
The first half concluded with Issaquah firmly in control. Leading 2-0 after a beautiful pass saw the left winger who calmly touched the ball past the goalkeeper and tapped it in, sending the crowd erupting in applause.
After the halftime break, Issaquah emerged with further strength, determined to further assert their dominance on the pitch. Tam once again showcased his ability to score, executing a sublime volley into the bottom left corner of the net, extending the lead to 3-0 and leaving the Newport defense in disarray.
But Issaquah’s prowess wasn’t confined to the attacking third. Junior Sam Stroh, a 6-foot-4 brick wall in defense, demonstrated his versatility by making his mark on the scoresheet with a leaping header off a corner kick, further solidifying Issaquah’s lead at 4-0.
As the game entered its latter stages, Issaquah continued to apply relentless pressure, with freshman Arman Herzog capitalizing on a free kick opportunity to score with a polished header, making it 5-0 and leaving the Newport goalkeeper rooted to the spot.
With victory all but assured, Issaquah refused to take their foot off the gas, adding two more goals to their tally in the last minutes of the game, culminating in a 7-0 triumph that left no doubt of who was the superior team.
In the aftermath of the match, players reflected on their individual performances and aspirations for the remainder of the season.
Junior Daniel Marchione, the team’s goalkeeper, expressed his satisfaction with maintaining a clean sheet, stating confidently, “I wanted a clean sheet, and I got a clean sheet.” When asked about potential areas for improvement, he replied with the self-assurance, “Nah, I don’t think so. I’m already goated.”
Stroh, whose contributions were felt at both ends of the pitch, emphasized his commitment to excellence, humbly remarking, “I just wanted to keep a clean sheet and just play the best I can. Luckily I got a goal too.” Acknowledging the need for continuous improvement, he added, “I mean you can always play harder. Next game I just got to do what I did this game.”
The victory against Newport not only showcased Issaquah’s dominance on the soccer field but also their determination to win reiterated by the words of Coach Bruno Ponce, “We came here to win, and we got the result we wanted.” With such an impressive performance, the Issaquah JV Boys Soccer team has firmly established themselves as second in the league and will not stop until they reach their goal of becoming the league champions.
