Spartans start 2009 campaign with a tie

The Sumner High boys opened the soccer season with a tie and two losses in the first week of play.

Friday, the Spartans lost to North Thurston 2-1 in a nonleague shootout at home.

Mike Orphan scored off a Martin Schmuck assist in the 11th minute of play and North Thurston tied the score on a penalty kick with three minutes left in regulation.

Orphan, Schmuck, Jacob Pierce, Sam Hoyt, Benji O’Brien and Lloyd Merritt scored shootout goals. The Rams won the shootout, 7-6.

Sumner goalie Evan Brown had four saves.

The Spartans recorded a tie against Woodville at home March 18.

Five minutes into the game, Woodinville’s Spencer Hoggart scored off an Gabe Conzales assist. But the Spartans answered with a goal in the ninth minute as Orphan scored off a Schmuck pass.

Both teams were aggressive offensively.

Sumner goalkeeper Zach Bower went airborne for a stop in the 21th minute.

The Spartan defense, led by Pierce, Merritt, Tucker Bateman, Dominic Carter and Mario Gonzales-Rutledge kept pressure on the Eagles most of the game.

Woodinville had several chances in the final three minutes, but the Spartan defense made it difficult to get off a clean shot.

The Spartans opened up the regular season with a scoreless tie against the Class 2A Aberdeen Bobcats in nonleague action March 16 at Sunset Chev Stadium.

Goalier Zach Bowers and Richard Grist shared the shutout.

The Spartans travel to Timberline for a 5 p.m. game Friday, then host Yelm at 6 p.m. April 1.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.