Uncharted territory is a challenge for many teams finding newfound success, but the Capital boys soccer team is embracing the pressure and playing better than ever under fourth-year head coach Jeremy Richtmyre.
The Cougars collected their fourth straight clean sheet Tuesday night, shutting out North Thurston 2-0 at Swarthout Field to improve to 7-1-1 and 2-0 in Puget Sound League play.
Senior Quinton Fisher provided the first goal of the night for Capital in the 38th minute to give the home Cougars a 1-0 halftime lead. In the 56th minute, Kellen Woods dished to Tanner Fricke, who found the back of the net.
Despite Capital already matching the most wins in a season under Richtmyre and shutting out a pair of strong Puget Sound League squads in Timberline and North Thurston in the last two games, the boys are far from satisfied.
“Obviously the boys are feeling optimistic after beating two quality opponents. But the job’s not done, and there is a lot of work to be done yet,” Richtmyre said.
Both Richtmyre and Woods remarked on the team’s togetherness and heart through the start of the season. Richtmyre noted that the clean sheets are credit to the hard work from defenders getting back into position and making an important tackle, as well as goalies making crucial saves.
“Before each game, I feel like we are all in the same head space. We’re serious and focused, but not so much that we forget to have fun,” Woods said. “I think this keeps the spirits high going into each game.”
“The biggest thing that the boys have going for them in this string of games is heart,” Richtmyre added. “They believe in themselves and are leaving it on the field. “When you have a team that’s willing to bleed for each other, that’s a team that’s tough to keep down.”
Capital will take a trip up north to Lakewood to face Lakes (2-3, 1-0 Puget Sound League) at Harry Lang Stadium Thursday night.
Next for North Thurston (3-2-3, 0-1 Puget Sound League) is a rivalry match with Timberline (1-4-1, 0-1 Puget Sound League) Thursday night at South Sound Stadium.
