The momentum continues to build for Jackson, while Mountlake Terrace still is sitting pretty as the regular season winds down for the boys soccer season.
Senior Devin Mendiola scored one goal and assisted on two others to lead the Wolfpack to a 3-1 victory over the Hawks in a Western Conference South Division game May 4 at Edmonds Stadium.
The victory clinched at least a No. 2 district seed for the Timberwolves, who were coming off a 1-0 victory over 4A league leader Kamiak on May 1.
“The momentum carried over to this week,” said Jackson coach Brett Norton. “The win tonight was important to us. (The players) definitely had a goal. That goal was to get one of the top 2 seeds. They knew they could do that tonight and not worry about Wednesday’s game.”
If Jackson beats Meadowdale on Wednesday and Kamiak loses to Mariner, the Wolfpack will take the No. 1 seed.
Mendiola assisted on goals by teammates Tommy Ellis and Tye Hastings as Jackson improved to 5-2-1 in the league and 11-2-2 overall.
Mendiola had the assist on Hastings’ goal against the Knights.
“Devin is leading the way with assists,” Norton said. “He continues to be a very good leader on the team.”
The key to beating Kamiak was shutting down Clayton Dubin, the Knights’ top offensive threat.
“I thought we really controlled the midfield,” Norton said. “We were really able to slow down their attack.”
Luck played a role against the Hawks.
Mountlake Terrace had a pair of shot ricochet off the goal posts in the first half.
“The first 20 minutes it went back and forth,” Norton said. “Mountlake Terrace should have been up 2-1. Luck was on our side. … It was a pretty even game. We were the team that finished our chances. Sometimes that’s what it takes.”
Mountlake Terrace already had clinched a district playoff berth with its 3-1 victory over Meadowdale on May 1. The Hawks head into the postseason with confidence despite the loss.
“The guys know they can play with some of the top teams in the league,” Hawks coach Ken Higgins said. “They know if they bring their game they can play with the best.”
Levi Suryan scored the lone goal for the Hawks, who fell to 4-3-2 and 7-6-2.
“We expected to play a little better and give them a better fight,” Higgins said.
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