Eagles remain undefeated on the soccer pitch

Issaquah senior Grant Williams takes charge in overtime.

By Shaun Scott • March 25, 2018 1:33 am
Shaun Scott, staff photo Issaquah Eagles forward Jacob Barsher controls the ball while being guarded by Mount Si’s Inaki McCarthy in the first half of play. Issaquah defeated Mount Si 2-0 in overtime on March 24 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah.
Shaun Scott, staff photo Issaquah Eagles forward Jacob Barsher controls the ball while being guarded by Mount Si’s Inaki McCarthy in the first half of play. Issaquah defeated Mount Si 2-0 in overtime on March 24 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah.

Issaquah Eagles senior defender Grant Williams isn’t the kind of player who shies away from pressure situations.

The Issaquah Eagles and Mount Si Wildcats were both scoreless for the first 80 minutes of regulation in a contest between two top-flight KingCo 4A programs. With just under a minute left in the first five-minute overtime session, Williams scored on a free kick giving the Eagles a crucial 1-0 lead.

With just two minutes remaining in the second five-minute overtime, Issaquah midfielder Josh Lee found the back of the net, propelling the Eagles to a 2-0 win against Mount Si on March 24 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah. Issaquah improved its overall record to 5-0 with the win.

Issaquah head coach Kyle Tatro said Williams wasn’t the player who was originally projected to take the free kick.

“I don’t think he would be our first choice kicker but he stepped up and said he wanted it. When a guy does that you let him take the shot. We reaped the rewards of it,” Tatro said.

Williams exuded pure confidence in the moments before he unleashed the go-ahead goal.

“I just wanted to take it. I knew right when I saw the foul that I wanted to step up and take it. I was trying to go over the wall (Mount Si defenders) and it just worked out for me. I was hoping I could sneak it through there,” Williams said.

Williams placed the ball perfectly into the lower left corner of the goal. The shot was just out of reach of Wildcats’ goalie Colby Ramsey. The Eagles have outscored their opponents 21-2 in their first five contests. Tatro said this year’s team features a bevy of returners.

“Joey Underwood and Jacob Barsher are up top at forward for us. They are combining really well and helping us produce a lot of goals but we’ve also got a really strong and deep squad. Everybody is capable of scoring goals but more importantly they are all capable of playing the game. That is the most important thing,” Tatro said. “Josh Lee runs that midfield really well. He dominates the air and he is so good with the ball.”

Issaquah senior goalie Gage Nardi also registered several key saves in the triumph against Mount Si. Issaquah will host the Newport Knights at 7:30 p.m. on April 3 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah.