by Declan O’Malley
Sounder contributor
In the opening round of Washington Interscholastic Activities Association play this past weekend, Orcas Island High School defeated Puget Sound Adventist Academy 3-1 at Anacortes High School.
The Vikings battled challenging weather conditions during the match, but the team and coaches were prepared.
“We knew we had to play the best Orcas Island-style soccer we were capable of, despite the daunting rain, cold, and 20-40 knot gusts at Anacortes High School as we arrived at the field,” said head coach Terry Turner.
According to Turner, before the game, the coaching staff discussed the correct tactics for both upwind and downwind conditions. They encouraged each player to step up as a leader, to brave the elements and to stay focused while leading by example. Despite the challenging conditions, the team was reminded to play with the confidence and composure they knew they were capable of.
The Vikings’ attack was led by Joaquin Shanks-Morales, who scored two goals off free kicks, including one from more than 40 yards out. Lauro Quintero-Carrion added another goal for OIHS. Turner was also impressed with his back line.
“The defense played extremely tough, and there were outstanding performances from Demetrio Salinas-Cruz, Angelo Vaccarella and Forest Frausto. As a result, we were able to hold the highest-scoring striker in the league to no goals,” he said.
Across the board, every Viking player stepped up to the occasion.
“In the PSAA game, all of our reserve players who came on played exactly as we hoped they would. These players included forwards Kristian Freeman and Junior Conejo and midfielders Max Dickey Volmer and Hayes Richardson. Each one plays well in their particular roles, and each one gives the team different options and looks to confound the opponents,” Turner said.
The coaching staff named Sam Vaccarella as the Player of the Match, but Shanks-Morales also earned recognition for his two-goal performance.
“I agree that Sam [Vaccarella] had an amazing game, but Joaquin [Shanks-Morales] is my man of the match because he was everywhere in midfield, too, and he scored on two free kicks,” said assistant coach Sid Hayworth.
“We think the Player of the Game might have been freshman midfielder Sam Vaccarella, who had perhaps the best game of his career, running tirelessly, tackling relentlessly and passing precisely to his teammates,” Turner said.
The victory improves OIHS’s record to 18-2 on the season. The Vikings will now advance to the Final Four, facing Providence Classical Christian on Nov. 22 at Federal Way Memorial Stadium. The Vikings defeated PCC in their previous regular-season meetings and have often met them in district tournaments.
If the Vikings win, they will advance to the championship match on Nov. 23, where they will face the winner of the Lopez vs. Upper Columbia game.
