SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles had a hard-fought battle against Okanogan Thursday evening but ultimately fell 1-5 by the end of regulation. As the Eagles make their way further into their second soccer season, they plan on making consistent improvement and further gel as a team. 

“It was a pretty good first half, it was intense,” said Eagles senior Lenny Campos. “They came out hard just like us.” 

The game started out close in the first half as Okanogan was first to score and held their lead for most of the first 40 minutes. With just over five minutes left in the half, David Kriuchkov from the Eagles knocked the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. 

Okanogan scored once again following the Eagles score and the game went into halftime 1-2. 

Returning from halftime, Okanogan had heightened energy and put up four additional scores as the game progressed. Soap Lake worked to put pressure on the opposing goal, but ultimately, Okanogan controlled the ball and claimed the victory. 

“It was still good... we just need to keep trying and not give up for the next game,” said Eagles junior Damian Jimenez. 

Both Campos and Jimenez said moving forward, they want the team to work on their offensive approach and play closer together as a team. They acknowledged that only having one prior season under their belts has played part in their struggle but are determined to gain better control of the ball in the midfield. 

Despite the loss, Eagles Head Coach Tony O’Neel said he is happy with how his team performed, especially in the first half. 

“I’m not worried about any outcome,” said O’Neel. “They competed the whole time, we just gave some easy opportunities on defense.” 

Even with the struggles defensively, the Eagles goalkeeper, Chris Heaps, had 25 saves against Okanogan. 

This year’s Eagles team is made up of only three upperclassmen with Campos as the lone senior and Jimenez and Andres Lopez as the two juniors. Campos said while having such a young roster can be challenging, the younger players are gaining valuable experience as they build the soccer program in Soap Lake into the future. 

“Give it two years and we could be a state qualifying team,” said the senior. 

As the experienced players on the roster, Campos and Lopez said they have made it their goal to motivate and bring up their teammates throughout their season.  

“If you put them down, they’re not going to want to play,” said Campos. “That’s why when they make a bad play, you’re not supposed to bring them down, telling them ‘Oh, you suck’ or this and that... You have to say, ‘Hey, next play’ and move on. Everybody makes mistakes.” 

O’Neel said one thing he saw from Thursday’s game that he would like Soap Lake to do is win more of the 50-50s and make improvements on goal kicks. He also wants the team to improve their defensive passing. 

This young team is moving in the right direction, he said, and with about seven games left in the season, he expects the team to become more solid.  

“I feel great about them,” said O’Neel. “We just played a really competitive, great team. Okanogan (is a) top five team in the state. The team chemistry is getting there; we’re getting really smooth and I’m excited for the future.” 

The Eagles next game is at home against Entiat on Tuesday at 5 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

OKNG: 2-3: 5 

SPLK: 1-0: 1 

    Soap Lake junior Damian Jimenez makes a kick from the goal during Thursday’s game against Okanogan.
  

    Chris Heaps from Soap Lake prepares to kick away the ball after making a successful stop against Okanogan.
  

    Eagles freshman David Kriuchkov chases down the ball in the middle of the field during Thursday’s game.
  

    Soap Lake’s Rob Aldana gets ready to kick the ball across the field during Thursday’s game against Okanogan.
  

    Eagles sophomore Savva Sochirca heads the ball back towards his teammates Thursday evening against Okanogan.