Senior Leonardo Cortez netted two goals and freshman Rayan Moustafa dished two assists as North Thurston dominated Peninsula 4-1 at South Sound Stadium Tuesday night.
The Rams, who entered Tuesday’s match scoreless in its previous three contests, opened the scoring with an 18th-minute breakaway goal by junior Noah Rony-ath.
Peninsula responded in the 31st minute on a defensive miscue by North Thurston that led to an open net.
In the final minute of the first half, Tate Vetas was fouled in the box, setting up Cortez for a penalty kick in the bottom corner of the net to give the Rams the lead.
Sophomore Easton Sexton extended North Thurston’s advantage on a curling shot assisted by Moustafa in the 49th minute. Cortez put the game away on a goal in the 55th minute, also from a pass from Moustafa.
“This was one of our better games all season and a much-needed performance after a tough week last week,” North Thurston coach Tristan Glazer said. “The boys have been working hard to prepare, and so much praise needs to be given to the entire group for playing a really solid 80 minutes and executing our plan. I could see our attackers play with more confidence and creativity today, and they’ll only get stronger the more they play that way.”
The Rams recorded 11 shots on goal compared to Peninsula’s seven, and North Thurston was a perfect 3 for 3 on corner kicks.
North Thurston (4-2-4, 1-1-1 Puget Sound League) picks up its first league victory of the season and will next face River Ridge (0-8-1, 0-3-0 Puget Sound League) Thursday night at South Sound Stadium.
“It’s going to be important to bring that confidence into our rivalry game Thursday,” Glazer said.
