Soccer is a sport where players who rarely log any stats into the boxscore typically have the biggest effect on the outcome of a contest.

The Issaquah Eagles boys soccer team, who currently boasts an overall record of 6-2-3, rely on the brains and braun of senior defenders Ryan Murphy and Cedric Kong on the defensive side of the ball.

The Eagles have surrendered just 13 goals in 11 games during the 2016 season. The team plays with just three defenders (most teams play with four defenders), which makes verbal and nonverbal communication even more vital on the Eagles defensive side of the field.

Murphy plays center defender for the majority of time while Kong mans the right side of the field.

“Sometimes if there is a guy running past me I will yell, ‘Cedric?’ as kind of a last gasp and he will know he needs to drop back,” Murphy said. “There is definitely nonverbal cues too, like I just know where he wants the ball and I know how to cover for him. We just know each other’s style.”

Kong concurred.

“I think it’s also instinctual,” Kong said. “We both play the same position. He knows what he needs to do and I know what I need to do. We are pretty comfortable back there.”

Kong has played defense since moving from forward to the defender position in the seventh grade. Murphy didn’t make the permanent move to defense until his freshman season at Issaquah in 2013.

“Coach (Kyle) Tatro switched me to center back (defender) during my freshman year when I was on the C-team,” Murphy said. “It was really unexpected but I’ve definitely grown into that role.”

Kong said playing defense gives Murphy and him an opportunity to guide his teammates’ movements on the field in a strategic manner.

“Maybe we don’t get the ball as much but I think our presence is more felt in being vocal and helping the other players in front of us,” Kong said. “We make sure everyone is on the same page and, of course, we got our moments where we get to be aggressive and that is always fun.”

Kong said the Eagles soccer players spend as much time off the field together as they do between the white lines of the soccer field.

“We are always hanging out together eating lunch at school,” he said. “Maybe we don’t really count the hours but naturally we are always together and are building that bond and unity.”

The Issaquah soccer program is well known for its success over the past few decades, which looms on its current players’ minds.

“Throughout the years I have played for Issaquah soccer, the players that have been older than me have really guided me along the way,” Murphy said. “Seeing their confidence has helped me in the process of just allowing myself to grow into that role.”