Washington falls to 2013 state runner-up

The Washington soccer team began its grueling slate of opening games on Tuesday with a 5-2 loss at home to the defending NCHSAA state runner-up, First Flight.

“I think we showed some resilience today,” said head coach Jim Kozuch. “That’s a great team out there, which is going to go very far this year. To see a team like that this early in the year was incredibly tough for us.”

With many positional questions left unanswered entering the contest, the Pam Pack employed a new 4-5-1 formation, relying on junior striker Kyle Hodges to ignite the offense and a talent-heavy midfield to operate efficiently.

Returning most of his starters from a year ago, First Flight head coach Juan Ramirez utilized his team’s chemistry and familiarity with one another to break down the opposing defense.

Just minutes into the game, the Nighthawks notched a quick goal on a nice passing play in front of the net.

Riding a wave of confidence, First Flight scored again on a controversial breakaway that left junior midfielder Dylan Singleton on the ground. It was a tough no-call for a team that desperately needed a swing in momentum.

However, with a couple minutes to go in the half, the Pam Pack got its first goal of the season from the most unlikely of sources. On a corner kick, a Nighthawks defender tried to eject the ball from the box, but his clearance ricocheted off junior defender Holt McKeithan and past the goalie to bring the halftime score to 2-1.

Both teams came out of the break with increased toughness, as the slide tackles and elbows became more conspicuous.

Six minutes in to the second half, a Nighthawks midfielder laid a perfect cross in front of the net for an easy header to give his team a comfortable two-goal lead. For the next 15 minutes, First Flight had multiple opportunities to score, but Washington goalie Will Tate continued to make acrobatic, well timed saves.

First Flight eventually broke through with 19 minutes to go in the half on a through ball to the striker. Three minutes later, a forward ripped another shot just passed Tate’s outstretched hand to put the Nighthawks up 5-1.

“Will had a great game today,” Kozuch said. “He’s a great goalie who has to be the backbone for a while. While we’re a work in progress as a team, he just has to keep stepping up his game individually. He’s getting better and better every game. He kept us in this one for a while.”

Despite a poor showing to start the second half, Washington stepped up with a solid performance following the fifth goal. Senior midfielder Lupe Barrera had a collection of chances at net, including one from about 40-yards out that drilled the crossbar.

And with eight minutes left, Hodges finally got his chance on a botched set piece, cleaning up a deflection off a save and redirecting the ball into the back of the net.

Overall, Kozuch was content with his team’s performance against a top-notch opponent, but see’s room for improvement operating in the new 4-5-1 scheme.

“We have to work on transitioning — offense to defense,” he said. “They’re not exactly sure where they need to be as far as spreading the field on offense and coming back and closing it in together on defense. Basically, it’s positioning. A huge thing we need to work on is communication, which cost us a lot today. You can’t get away with it when you play a team like First Flight.”

Washington will face the Riverside Knights in Williamtston on Thursday at 6 p.m.