Speedy Auburn Adventist boys outpace Braves in soccer debut

It was great weather for soccer at Whittaker Field last Thursday.

Unfortunately, the host La Conner Braves couldn't weather the crisp passing and relentless attacks of Sea-Tac B power ­Auburn Adventist.

The Falcons, coming off a 2023 campaign that saw them qualify for the state playoffs, posted a tidy 3-1 non-league triumph over La Conner before a large crowd that basked in sunshine and warm weather while taking in an often-physical match.

Collisions and contact were frequent as players contested for field position and possession of the ball throughout.

Auburn scored early and held its 1-0 lead during a first half that was otherwise played on equal terms.

La Conner goalkeeper Tyler Cicotte blocked several Falcon shots leading up to intermission, keeping the Braves within striking distance.

The home team nearly knotted the score just before the break with an attack fueled by a Hadden Zimmerman steal, but Auburn recovered and kept La Conner off the board.

At halftime, Braves coaches Galen McKnight and Joel Hingston praised their midfield defenders and cited the need to adjust to Auburn's speed.

"The opportunities are there," McKnight said. "We just have to be hungry and find that extra gear."

The Falcons, however, were able to protect and ultimately expand upon their lead, building a 3-0 advantage in the late going.

La Conner averted a shutout when Simon Bouwens netted a deft left-footed goal off a nice feed from Marlin Bralens.

"We did quite a few things well," McKnight stressed afterward. "Flint (Huizenga) did well on defense at the back end and Hadden (Zimmerman) did well advancing the ball."

In addition, Christian Fix returned from two injury-marred seasons to play solid at midfield and when the Braves mounted attacks. Fix nearly scored La Conner's first goal with a line-drive shot that veered just wide to the right.

The Braves faced another tough non-conference test with a Sept. 10 visit to Crosspoint Academy. La Conner returns to Whittaker Field Sept. 17 for non-league action opposite Sound Christian of Tacoma.