Photos: Highland opens soccer season at Washington

By Jeff Yoder
Posted 4/1/22

While most area sporting events were canceled on Thursday, the Highland soccer team opened the season on a cold, windy day at Washington. 

Senior Eli Slaymaker made 13 saves in the goal, but the Huskies struggled to move the ball upfield in a 14-0 loss. 

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Photos: Highland opens soccer season at Washington

Posted

While most area sporting events were canceled on Thursday, the Highland soccer team opened the season on a cold, windy day at Washington. 

Senior Eli Slaymaker made 13 saves in the goal, but the Huskies struggled to move the ball upfield in a 14-0 loss. 

“It definitely wasn't an ideal start to the season, but Washington is a tough and experienced squad,” Highland coach Dylan Stewart said.

Senior Erick Ortez Jr. and junior Fredy Aguilar each scored three goals to lead Washington offensively.

“Our game plan is pretty simple — get the ball to our mids and out to our wingers where our forwards can make runs into space,” Stewart said. “Unfortunately, I think our youth showed and we panicked against a much bigger and more physical team.”

“I saw a lot of good things though. I felt some of our younger kids looked really good in spots, very competitive. I think I need to re-evaluate our formation and positions though. I asked a lot out of our defense and left a lot of holes that Washington was able to expose with their high press.”

On Monday, Ayden Havel scored Highland’s first goal of the season in a 4-1 loss to Sigourney.

“I think we just got out hustled,” Stewart said. “I saw a lot of improvement from last week, mostly our positioning looked a lot better and our defense was much more organized.”  

Highland has a couple chances this week to end its 14-game slide, which dates back to 2019. 

The Huskies (0-2) host Hillcrest (0-0) on Thursday and Wapello (0-4) on Friday.