During the Hockinson boys soccer team’s senior night Tuesday, May 7, four of the team’s five seniors got in on the scoring action in a 7-0 victory over Mark Morris.
Tristan Maldonado and John Charles led the way with two goals each.
Hawks head coach Tony Ayala said for senior night he let seniors choose their roles and positions for the match.
Maldonado played an attacking role compared to his usual center-back defensive role, which allowed him multiple scoring opportunities and putting two past the keeper.
Hockinson forced a turnover almost every 15 seconds if they were not in possession of the ball, but Mark Morris’ keeper, Daniel Bailey, held his own for the first 18 minutes by making save after save as the Hawks forced dozens of threatening opportunities.
Hockinson took a 1-0 lead when Maldonado drilled a penalty kick into the net in the 19th minute.
Freshman Connor Vukelich and senior John Charles added goals of their own for a 3-0 lead heading into the half.
“I know (the seniors) really wanted to get some goals and cap off their last league game of senior year. All those guys brought energy, Igor (Povazhniuk), John, Tristan and Teagan (Cabebe), and it was kind of their show tonight,” Ayala said.
The second half saw the Hawks goal train keep rumbling as Maldonado, Charles, Gage Biederbeck and Cabebe added goals toward the 7-0 victory.
Despite being the one senior to not score on senior night, Povazhniuk played with heart and hustle and was a key player in most of Hockinson’s attacking plays.
Hockinson remained seventh in WIAA’s 2A top 10 standings for the week, which came out on Wednesday, May 3. The Hawks finished with a league record of 13-3, good for second place in the 2A Greater St. Helens League.
The Hawks have to win two district games in order to advance to the state playoffs, but they’ve already earned something that’s been in the works for a while — a trip to the districts.
Ayala said he believes the team has been without a district appearance since the 2014-2015 season.
Hockinson’s varsity roster has seven freshmen. All seven have made a big impact this season. The junior varsity roster is almost all freshmen, so the Hawks could have a bright future ahead of them as they hope to dethrone the dominant program at Columbia River.
The Hawks’ first district game was scheduled for Saturday, May 6, against Tumwater.
