TUMWATER — For Jackie Zvirzdys Wood, she didn’t know what version of her Black Hills High School boys soccer team she’d get over the final 52 minutes on Wednesday night.
Would she get the 2025 version, where allowing an equalizing goal would spiral the Wolves out of control?
Or would she see the potential 2026 version, despite the graduation of eight seniors, they don’t fold when the opposition scores?
“I was worried we’d play old school Black Hills soccer,” the Wolves head coach said. “It was exciting to see them come out strong.”
Old school = out. New school = in.
Black Hills scored four unanswered goals, three in the second half, to upend Rochester 5-1 in a downpour at home in the season-opener. It’s the first win over the Warriors since 2023 when the two were in the Evergreen Conference.
“I want to say it was a hot mess, but the boys were really composed,” Zvirzdys Wood said. “They did really well balancing each other out. It is a slippier ball, what are you gonna do?”
Cross-winds that caused the rain to fall horizontally all night were far from ideal conditions. Still, the Wolves (1-0) pounced on early chances. Junior midfielder Gavin Sugarman scored twice in the first half, his final tally came just before halftime to put them up 2-1.
He weaved his way past Rochester defenders and fired a shot just inside the 18-yard box for the goal that put Black Hills up for good.
In quick succession in the 45th and 46th minutes, Ethan Badger and Shinji Brown found the back of the net to put the match out of reach. Rashid Farrah capped the output with his goal in the 57th minute.
“It was crucial for us,” Zvirzdys Wood said of the two early second half goals. “It can be really scary going into a half 2-1, but it was in our favor. It was really exciting to see the momentum they built up.”
Black Hills was in the driver’s seat for the fourth and final district playoff spot for the EvCo last spring, but four straight losses and three of them by a goal plus Centralia winning three of four, ended the season prematurely.
Zach Cammack in the back four, Badger and Sugarman were all all-league honorees a year ago; Cammack was a first team pick. Zvirzdys Wood has already seen a shift in mentality with this group compared to the last two years.
“Last year, we did (play) pretty soccer, just didn't capitalize on opportunities,” she said. “This year we’re gonna be scrappy.
“Our league is so competitive. I’m excited to see where these guys go if the mindset is we’re gonna take the top-three.”
There’s plenty of speed to combine with a scrappy playstyle. Farrah got by his man several times out wide and Roberto Jesus kept the ball alive in the middle. Badger, Brown, Sugarman and defender James Morgan all showcased speed on Wednesday.
“We still need to figure out the position stuff when it comes to build out from the back, but the speed saves us,” Zvirzdys Wood said. “They are willing to apply their speed rather than skill. One of the coolest things about this year – the skill and play is there – we just need to figure out chemistry.”
Rochester (0-1) tied the match thanks to an Aiden Villanueva goal in the 28th minute, but it never carried the momentum into the second half. Despite having 45 guys come out for soccer this season, the Warriors only had 15 available guys for the first match of the season.
Per head coach Matt Ashton, a handful weren't eligible due to not enough practices and a couple are dealing with injuries.
“I was going into the game seeing what we had,” Ashton stated. “Good warm up before going into league play.”
It’s a new goalkeeper this year and Brandon Reyes-Ibarra is the lone defender back from last year’s runner-up team in the Evergreen League. In all three second half goals allowed, miscommunication was featured.
“To go from grass to turf, (the ball) rolls straight, it is a tough transition,” Ashton said. “A lot of things to work on, but a lot of stuff to be hopeful for. We have a lot to look forward to this year.”
The Warriors graduated a handful of seniors and some potential returners decided not to come out in attempting to get back to the Class 1A state tournament. The Warriors fell to Highland 4-1 in the opening round, going one-and-done.
“We do have the ability, we have the talent. It is about working together,” Ashton said. “Once you hit the district playoffs, it is just a matter of the boys believing and trusting each other. And a little luck.”
Rochester will open the league season against Elma on Saturday while Black Hills continues its non-league slate with a road trip to 3A Capital on Thursday.
