Late goals sink Crusaders

SHORELINE — Daron Otis came through when North Sound Christian needed him most in a 2-0 nonleague win over Shoreline Christian on Oct. 17 at Shoreline Center.

The sophomore forward’s left-footed shot from 15 yards out in the 75th minute gave the Lions a 1-0 lead and woke the offense up.

“We hadn’t gotten many shots all game,” said Otis. “We needed a quick one there. It just went in the right corner.”

Two minutes later, Otis beat Crusaders’ keeper Dorr Anderson to a loose ball near the edge of the penalty box and crossed it into the middle. Senior forward Blake Mallory collected the pass and scored an insurance goal.

Otis and Mallory share the team lead in goals with nine apiece.

Junior goalkeeper Brandon Doucet earned the shutout for the Lions (11-3 overall, 4-1 Northwest 1B League).

Shoreline Christian (4-9 overall, 1-6 Northwest 2B/A League) played much better than the first time the two teams met, a 4-1 victory by North Sound Christian in the season opener for both teams Sept. 8.

“We can hold our own with any team,” Shoreline Christian coach Deanna Kirk said. “We just need to finish.”

The Crusaders played without starting goalkeeper James Vermeer, who was out with a broken big toe. Anderson, a sophomore, started his first game at goalie and made three saves and shut out the Lions until the final five minutes.

Kirk also altered her midfield a bit, moving senior David Kaemingk up from sweeper to midfield. The Crusaders, who run a four-defender, four-midfielder, two-forward formation, also had solid performances from midfielders Matthew Sink, Jason Vermeer and Michael Sohn. Sohn proved especially hard to contain for the Lions defense.

“They controlled the middle well (with) good passing,” Otis said.

Shoreline Christian played league opponent LaConner Oct. 19, after The Enterprise deadline. The Crusaders host Mount Vernon Christian at 3:15 p.m. Oct. 24.

North Sound Christian plays a league game at Master’s Touch at 4 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 20).