In what should be considered one of the biggest games across all sports at any point this school and sport year for CK, the undefeated 11-0 Gig Harbor Tides came to Cougar Field to take on CK in an epic showdown for supremacy in the South Sound conference.

Coming to this highly anticipated rematch, Gig Harbor has outscored opponents a ridiculous 64-8 in goals and is ranked as the number one team in 3A and number two boys’ soccer team in the state of Washington and number two best team in 3A. CK has outscored opponents 47-8 in goals and is ranked the number twelve best soccer team. 

The high ranking of CK’s opponent Gig Harbor coming to this game was not going to deter them from playing safe and playing their best soccer to this point of the season. The team knows the caliber that they want to reach to earn supremacy in 3A for boy’s soccer is winning against state ranked teams.

“They’re ranked in the top three in the state,” head coach Patrick Leonard said. “They are looked at as that benchmark for if you want to compete for a state title and in the postseason, these are the games you need to compete in and show your worth,” Leonard said.

Last week CK up to this point was riding high on a five game winning streak after beating Peninsula last Tuesday and outscoring their opponents 33-2 in that five game stretch. However, the win streak unfortunately ended by the hands of North Thurston in a competitive match of 3-2 last Thursday at home. This would only be their second loss to the season at this point of the season with an overall 7-2-1 record. Despite the loss to North Thurston last Thursday before this high stakes game, the team is still feeling confident of getting the biggest win against Gig Harbor. 

“It doesn’t change our confidence,” senior Aiden Brown said. “I think it just makes us push harder because we know as a team that all of us are skilled players and that all of them [Gig Harbor] are skilled players. But any day of the week, I take one of my guys [CK] over them.” 

The previous encounter earlier this season between these two highly respected soccer programs in 3A ended with Gig Harbor winning the first meeting at Gig Harbor’s field against CK to a score of 2-1. CK didn’t win the game but gave the most competitive effort to almost beat the undefeated Tides so far this season than any of their opponents.  

The beginning first half of the game between these two teams like the first encounter would not go in CK’s favor as they let Gig Harbor score two goals within the 12 first minutes of the first half. Being down 2-0 early into the first half can halt a team’s momentum especially against a talented team like the Tides. However, sure enough, CK didn’t let the early goals stumble their approach to march back into the game. 

The team eventually caught fire at the end of the first half and got on the scoreboard in explosive fashion starting with sophomore Josh Voce scoring the 1st goal at the 6:50 mark bringing the CK crowd back into the game. Senior Aiden Brown continued this momentum for CK as he scored the crucial 2nd goal in a three minute span at the 3:15 mark and tied the game at 2-2 heading into the end of the 1st half. 

The game being tied going into the second half was a win for CK to alter the game to an even playing field and not let Gig Harbor control the momentum and scoreboard of the game. As the second half of the game progressed, the more anxious and loud the crowd appeared knowing that whoever scored the next goal to take the lead would have a better chance of winning the game. 

While neither team scored until the last 3 minutes of the second half, the game was an entertaining back and forth between possessions from both teams. Both of the team’s goalies showed out in blocking near shots from both teams’ offenses.

The game in the second half was up to whichever team made a crucial mistake – the other team would take full advantage and eventually score. Going into the last five minutes of the game, this unfortunately happened in the Tides’ favor as they scored the next goal and took the lead right near the two minute mark of the game. CK had time to respond with their own shot, but it didn’t go in as the Tides goalie secured the ball to protect the lead.

Gig Harbor would soon capitalize once again and score their fourth goal, leading the Tides sideline to celebrate in front of the CK crowd. 

The final score was 4-2 with Gig Harbor once again getting the best of CK to stay undefeated. It was a disappointing loss, but it showed this team can compete with not only the best teams in their league but ranked soccer teams in the state. 

“It just shows the top teams in the state we’re hanging in against number two,” Brown said. “We should be able to hang with other big powerhouses like Mercer Island, Seattle Prep, Lincoln, Auburn Riverside, just strong teams like that. There’s a run at state coming and we want our fans and families to be there,” Brown said.

CK boys’ soccer is getting closer to the end of their season as three of their last four games will be of the comfort of home, including an April 28th match against Yelm High School at Cougar Stadium.