Mere inches and seconds were all that separated Issaquah from overtime Tuesday night.
Thanks to the speed and footwork of Michael Axelson, however, no extra time was necessary. With under a minute left in regulation, the senior forward booted the game-winning shot just inside the right post for a 3-2 victory over Ballard.
“I knew as soon as he got there he wasn’t going to miss that opportunity,” head coach Jason Lichtenberger said.
Taking a lead pass from teammate Michael Roberts down the right wing, Axelson outran two defenders and Ballard goalkeeper Aleco Bulat. He knocked the ball to the right of Bulat, and with just a few inches to work with, tapped it inside the right post.
“I just tried to get on the end of it,” Axelson said. “I really was just trying to get a touch on it.”
The score broke a 56-minute scoring drought from both teams and was the first lead for Issaquah.
The Eagles fell behind 1-0 in the 13th minute when Beaver senior Brent Campbell headed in his league-leading seventh goal of the season.
Issaquah answered in the 14th minute on a 25-yard blast off the foot of Carter Michell.
Ballard took the lead again in the 20th minute when Adal Tedla capitalized on the Eagles’ inability to clear the ball.
“Both goals came off of very careless turnovers by us,” Lichtenberger said. “In order to replicate what we did last year, and get even further … we have to clean that up.”
Issaquah answered the Ballard score in the 23rd minute when Lucas Morias took a nice pass down the middle of the field from Alex Shane. Morias hit the brakes, let two defenders fly by, before knocking it in from 10 yards out.
“It was great to see them respond to both goals,” Lichtenberger said.
Axelson agreed, noting he hopes this is the start of something special for the Eagles.
“Our team’s got a lot of heart, I’m looking forward to a lot more victories like that,” he said.
Issaquah improved to 3-1-1 in league and 5-4-1 overall. The Eagles face Eastlake (2-1-1, 3-2-3) at 7:30 p.m., Friday at EHS.
Skyline takes sole possession of first
Skyline defeated Roosevelt 2-0 Tuesday night, grabbing sole possession of first place in the KingCo 4A.
Travis Strawn scored both goals for the Spartans, booting in a penalty kick in the 46th minute and another unassisted score in the 55th minute.
Goalkeepers Steven Pankiewicz and Kenzie Stika combined for the shutout.
Skyline moved to 4-1-0 in league and 7-2-1 overall. The Spartans face Inglemoor (2-2-1, 2-3-1) at 7:30 p.m., Friday on the road.
Eastlake blanks Garfield
Sean Klauer scored two goals for Eastlake as the Wolves defeated Garfield 2-0 Tuesday night.
The junior forward punched in his first goal off an assist from Nick Rudella in the 21st minute. He added his second score in the 63rd minute off an assist from Sawyer Preston.
Goalkeepers Devon DeAlteris and Zack Wile combined for the shutout.
Eastlake improved to 2-1-1 in league and 3-2-3 overall. The Wolves host Issaquah t 7:30 p.m., Friday.
Eastside shutout by Bainbridge
Undefeated Bainbridge kept its streak alive Tuesday night, handing Eastside Catholic a 3-0 home loss.
Alex Raquer scored two goals to lead the Spartans, who improved to 6-0-1 overall.
The Crusaders dropped to 1-2 in league and 2-6 overall.
