Unbeaten Eagles using shutdown defense
For first year Issaquah head soccer coach Kyle Tatro, the key to his team’s success isn’t easy to pin down.
Seven different players have scored a goal, led by three from Ryan Higgins, and four others have tallied at least one assist on the season.
The defense has been even equally impressive, and had not allowed a goal since March 28 as of the Reporter’s Wednesday deadline.
“Our defense has been tremendous from top to bottom,” Tatro said. “Our forwards on down have committed themselves to being an excellent defensive team, and that has gone a long way.”
The Eagles have posted five straight shutout wins in 4A KingCo play, and are one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the conference along with rival Skyline (the Spartans have one tie in conference play).
Tatro said while his entire squad has focused on squeezing opponents out of scoring chances, the play of junior goalkeeper Saif Kerawala has been another separating factor.
“He’s phenomenal,” Tatro said, adding Kerawala has an exceptional ability to distribute the ball and jumpstart his team’s attack in addition to his duties as a shot-stopper. “He’s got a lot of talent and is technically gifted.”
Josh Zhou and Ryan Higgins lead the team with five goals each, while Conner Hughes has posted six assists.
Tatro said along with Hughes, fellow center backs Ben Corman and Liam Bruno have risen to the challenge to help Issaquah remain unbeaten and in the driver’s seat for a spot in the conference title game.
“Our center backs have been great,” he said. “They have done a great job pressuring teams, especially the good teams we’ve come up against.”
After beating Garfield 1-0 Wednesday, the Eagles meet Redmond, which is also undefeated in KingCo play, Friday.
With a 4A state tournament berth in its sights, Tatro said the key for his team is maintaining its defensive intensity and execution.
“It is continuing to work hard defensively and not losing sight of that,” he said. “We’ve gotten off to a great start. But it is easy to stumble and lose everything we’ve gained.”
Kerawala has been dominant in goal for Issaquah this year. DON BORIN, STOP ACTION PHOTOGRAPHY
Spartans still unbeaten in KingCo
Skyline trounced Bothell 6-0 Monday, earning its fourth win in as many games and keeping its conference record without a loss on the season.
The Spartans got goals from five different players in the win, as Feb Rubilio, Matthew Richardson, Jason Twaddle, Armeen Badri and Mason Prendergast found the back of the net, with each of those goals coming on an assist.
Coach Don Braman’s team is unbeaten on the season and 5-0-1 in conference play, and still has games against the other two teams at the top of the conference in Redmond and Issaquah.
