By Gene Helfman

Weekly contributor

With wins against Friday Harbor, La Conner and Cedar Park, the Lobos boys hosted the Grace Academy Eagles at home on Oct. 1. The game started slowly, most of it played on the Eagles’ side of the field. The Grace keeper made multiple saves until the 21st minute, when Andris Meissner put the ball in the Grace net. The action picked up from there, play again largely in front of the Eagles’ goal. Lopez scored again at the 26-minute mark, with Ethan Patrick scoring. Lopez added a third goal in the first half when Jacob Velazquez-Velazco headed the ball in at 30 minutes after a throw-in. In contrast, Grace mounted only one serious attack, the Lopez defensive front stifling the Eagles’ attack; Lopez keeper Jacob Sanford having to make only one save. The half ended Lopez 3, Grace Academy 0.

The second half continued in much the same vein, play concentrated on the Eagles’ side of the field, the Lopez defenders shutting down the Eagles’ attack. In addition, Coach Mycah Kraushaar was able to give several younger players valuable match experience. In the 26th minute Meissner scored after an errant goal kick by the Eagles’ goalie. At 34 minutes, Meissner was fouled in front of the Grace goal and awarded a penalty kick. His effort shot past a diving keeper, giving Meissner his third goal, the team celebrating his hat trick. Lopez keeper Sanford notched his second shutout, the game ending Lobos 5, Eagles 0.

Aside from successful scoring and solid defense, team play by the Lobos was highlighted by accomplished passing, the ball crossing the field many times as Lopez mounted their attack. Kraushaar noted the emphasis on team coordination afterward, saying, “they played so smart today, the way they were setting each other up. It was fun, it was a good game.”

The Lobos boys have home games against Providence on Oct. 14 and LaConner on Oct. 22.