Knights 2025 soccer in review

ROYAL CITY – The 2025 chapter has closed on the Knights boy's soccer season. They ended their season with a 16-4 record and continued to maintain a winning culture. When they won their second straight district championship, head coach Jens Jensen said he expected this of his team.  

“We've been here before, and this group, especially, it's a lot of returners on this group from last year, and so, they understand their jobs,” he said.  

At first glance, the season didn't seem to start that way. After starting 1-2, the Knights erupted for an 11-game win streak, improving to 12-2. Ten of those games were shutout wins, too.  

After suffering a loss to Highland 2-1, they were ranked as the second seed in the 1A district tournament behind Wahluke. They would open the tournament by hosting Manson on their home field.  

“We learned a lot from our team and our shape and how we needed to adjust. I would have loved to have learned that lesson without dropping that game, but we made some adjustments, and things really seemed to start clicking, and we had good momentum going into districts, and obviously won the district title,” Jensen said.  

The Knights recovered from their loss with a dominant 6-0 win at home which allowed them to move on to face Cashmere in another home game where they won 1-0. From there, they were victorious over Brewster 1-0 in the semi-finals of the district tournament.  

In the district championship game, they would take on third-seed Wapato. The Knights attacking front was on fire, putting up all three scores in the first half. Anderson Brown was responsible for two goals while Victor Aquino scored one of his own. Their defense remained strong throughout the second half, only allowing Wapato to score once at the end of the game.  

“As far as the teams from our league, there were only two teams that won a trophy this year, Wahluke, who won the league title and Royal who won the district championship. Those are the only trophies that were won by won by anyone, and we were happy to have won at least one of them. Without a doubt, the season is a success.” Jensen said.  

The Knights would move on to the state tournament as the sixth seed to play King’s High School. They would suffer a 2-1 loss and be eliminated. Despite not making a deep run in the state tournament, the Knights achieved several accolades.  

As previously mentioned, they won the district title, but many of their players made the All-Conference and All-State teams. According to Jensen, Trent Jensen and Anderson Brown made the first All-Conference and All-State. Victor Aquino made the second-team All-Conference and State. Ernesto Deras was named honorable mention for both levels.  

One key task Jensen will have — is replacing the senior players who graduate this year.  

“I'm hoping that we have some attacking, some youth that are dangerous in the attack that will be helpful, and you have to have a special goalkeeper, and ‘can we find a special goalkeeper? Can we fill Trent’s shoes in the defense?’ I think we can,” Jensen said.  

    The Knights’ Alex Arceo making a save in a previous game. Arceo is a key loss according to head coach Jens Jensen, who says having a special goalkeeper is important to a winning team.
  

    The Knights’ Anderson Brown on the attack in their district championship game against Wapato. Brown accounted for two scores in that game.
  

    Royal's Christain Nieto fights off two Wapato defenders in their district championship game. Nieto will have the opportunity to take on a larger role next season with three seniors graduating.
  

    The Knights running to greet fans who ran on the field to celebrate winning their second straight district championship. Head coach Jens Jensen has no doubts his team will be right back in the state tournament next year.