Eagles claim a strong victory at home

SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles (3-5-1) hosted the Entiat Tigers, Tuesday evening and earned a 6-2 victory. As the Eagles make their way through the remainder of the season, they hope to keep up their steady improvement. 

“I think the first half went kind of slow, the wind was on our side, but we still couldn’t make the shot,” said Nazar Goloborodko from the Eagles. “(In the) second half we gained more confidence; that’s where the game went up.” 

The game started out contested as neither team put up a score in the opening half. Soap Lake was persistent at the opposing goal toward the end of the half; the Eagles went into halftime with 13 shots on goal, but no points earned.

Eagles Head Coach Tony O’Neel said the scoreless first half did not shake the team’s confidence. 

“Soccer ... reminds me of fishing: you can cast it in and be out there three hours and not get one, then the last 30 minutes you cast in and get one every cast,” said O’Neel. “We just had to break the ice. Once they saw one go in, I knew it was going to change.” 

Play was much different in the second half as the Eagles earned their first score of the game early on from a shot to the back of the net by David Kriuchkov. Entiat responded quickly with its first point of the evening, but Kriuchkov scored off an assist from Mark Sushik to claim the lead once again. 

Soap Lake then went on a hot streak as Rob Aldana knocked in a goal, Kriuchkov scored once more and Nazar Goloborodko scored a goal to put the team up 5-1. Entiat scored once more off a penalty, but Goloborodko put the game away with one last score as the team kept pressure on Entiat until time expired. 

Goloborodko said he was really in the flow of the game going into his last shot on goal and fed off the energy from the crowd as they cheered him on. 

“I was like, ‘Yes’, because I just came from vacation for two weeks,” he said. “First game back, feels good.” 

O’Neel said the game was smooth for the team as the players followed what they practiced throughout the week. Soap Lake’s goal coming into this game was to win their 50-50s and do their “give-and-gos” where they give one or two touches then release the ball. 

“We don’t need any heroes; if we play like a team we can get better results,” said O’Neel.  

Coming into Tuesday’s matchup, much like other games they’ve played, he said the players were focused on getting better and competing against themselves on the field. Playing another tough and developing team like Entiat was a great opportunity for both the Eagles and the Tigers to build themselves up into stronger programs. 

Despite some issues that came up on defense where he wants to see the players work towards not giving up free kicks, the coach said he felt the game was great for Soap Lake’s development. 

“We played a great team buildup game right there, all levels, no complaints,” said O’Neel. 

After a slow start to the season as a whole, Goloborodko said he is feeling good about how his teammates have built themselves up to this point and is ready to see the team work their way towards postseason play. 

As the Eagles look ahead to postseason play, O’Neel said fixing those free kicks on defense will be integral to their success. As playoff seeding comes around, stopping opposing goals will help give Soap Lake a better opportunity to have a higher seed.  

“(Tuesday) was a plus four differential, but we need more,” he said. 

The Eagles coach said he hopes the team can ride the momentum from their win Tuesday evening as they head down the last stretch of the regular season. 

“We’ve got to attack on offense and defense just like we did (Tuesday),” said O’Neel. “I’m happy with (Tuesday’s) outcome, it was a good one.” 

The Eagles remain home for their next game, facing Tonasket Thursday at 4:30 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

ENTT: 0-2: 2 

SPLK: 0-6: 6

    Soap Lake’s Nazar Goloborodko (23) excitedly runs alongside his teammates Savva Sochirca (9) and Damian Jimenez (11) after scoring his first goal back from vacation against Entiat Tuesday evening.
  

    David Kriuchkov from Soap Lake maintains possession of the ball during the first half against Entiat Tuesday.
  

    Eagles Head Coach Tony O’Neel talks with his players during the halftime huddle Tuesday evening.
  

    Angel Abarca from the Eagles spreads out to block a kick from an Entiat player during Tuesday’s game.
  

    Damian Jimenez from Soap Lake sweeps his leg to kick the ball toward the opposing goal during the game against Entiat Tuesday evening.