EJ battles Klahowya in Senior Night matchup

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Klahowya upended East Jefferson 2-0 last week on Senior Night for the boys varsity soccer team.

Playing host at Memorial Field in Port Townsend, EJ seniors Yarrow Dean, Aidan Halpin, and Elias Herman got their last chance to represent their school on the field that held so many memories.

Having given the perennial 1A powerhouse a good game earlier in the season with a narrow 1-0 loss, East Jefferson believed they had a shot to achieve a shock result.

Despite having less of the ball, EJ defended well enough to limit the Eagles to half chances, and when the defense did find themselves breached goalkeeper Haven McMillan was on hand to shut the door. 

Despite resolute defending, however, EJ slipped a goal behind, 1-0, from a free kick midway through the half, a direct ball resulting in a headed goal.

But being down by one at the half was not an insurmountable deficit, and EJ set about the second half with greater intensity, going close on numerous occasions. 

Yarrow Dean had several goes at goal, Mark Anderson saw a curling shot from distance rebound off the post and Lochlan Krupa’s deflected shot brought an excellent reflex save from the Eagles’ keeper. 

Having been pushing so hard for the tying goal, East Jefferson found itself undone on the counterattack and fell further behind, 2-0.

From there, Klahowya held on to preserve the win.

Despite a loss on a special night, the EJ coaches said the athletes could leave the field with heads held high after a spirited performance and subsequent ceremony to honor the graduating seniors.