Kentwood soccer’s search for first win continues after 3-2 loss

After 12 games this season, the search for a win continues for the Kentwood Conquerors boys soccer team as they fell 3-2 to Stadium at home on April 22.

“This was one of our most spirited games. It’s unfortunate that it got away from us,” Manager Scott Gibb said.

Kentwood’s record now sits at 0-7-5 overall this season. Just five points total for a team that finished with 29 at the end of last season. A roster that is missing the Lang twins and players the likes of Seth Thomas created a void in the Kentwood lineup that they just haven’t been able to fill.

“It’s not one player, but it is a group finding their identity. Tonight we saw flickers of it, but it just didn’t show up in the win column,” Gibb said.

What is surprising: despite the lack of wins, the Conquerors have been in every game this season. The lucky break or go-ahead goal just hasn’t been there. Of all seven losses this season, Kentwood has lost four of them by a single goal, including the loss on Tuesday night. The other three losses were all by two goals.

Contrary to the majority of the season, Kentwood got off on their front foot against Stadium. In their first match this season the sides left on level terms at 2-2 back on March 28. In the second meeting, Kentwood senior Hamza Abdille made an instant impact.

Abdille was subbed in and with his first two touches gave Kentwood a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. Nathan Chavez took a quick throw and found Abdille just inside the 18-yard box, and a flick of the ball up in the air and a shot off the volley put Kentwood in front.

About 13 minutes later on a free kick, Stadium’s Fisher Jarzynka sent a ball inside the penalty area that found the head of sophomore Abraham Cooper to level the game at 1-1. The two sides went into halftime right where the game started, all equal.

Seven minutes into the second half, Kentwood shot out of a cannon. The Conks had opportunities to take the lead and sophomore Ethan Nonthaveth was the player to put Kentwood in prime position to win their first game of the season.

He found his way in behind the Stadium backline and put a shot on goal that bounced down off the crossbar and over the line to give Kentwood a 2-1 lead.

But Stadium again answered the bell. Set pieces were trouble for Kentwood and have been all year long. Despite having a new keeper in the second half, neither Samuel Marchuk nor Logan Luu could handle the size Stadium had when it came to set pieces. In the 60th minute, Cooper got his second goal of the contest, this time on a corner.

“Sometimes your best organization still doesn’t play out if they are more organized or connect better with more people in the box. There have been a lot of games this year decided by set pieces. I would say 90% of goals scored against us are silly ticky-tacky fouls that put us under,” Gibb said.

Kentwood appeared to be running out of steam and as time was winding down, Stadium captain Nicholas Coope put the dagger into the hearts of Conqueror fans and players. He headed home the third Stadium goal of the night and handed Kentwood its seventh loss of the season.

In the standings, Kentwood is second to last on just five points. Kennedy and Auburn Riverside are in front of them with 11. There are three games remaining on the Kentwood schedule — on the road at Auburn Riverside and Auburn High, then at home against Mount Rainier to close out the season. Kentwood is going to have to get points in all three games and win two of them. The door isn’t fully closed on the postseason, but it’s going to take a full head of steam to swing it open.

“The nice thing about the league is we are two games out, if we put two wins together then we’d catch playoffs. This year is definitely not over yet. It’s hard not sending these seniors out with a more positive ending,” Gibb said.

Carlos Munoz Reyes battles for the ball against Stadium. Ben Ray / The Reporter