After racing through the early portion of its schedule the Washington soccer team hit a speed bump on Wednesday as it lost its first game of the year to J.H. Rose, 2-1.
The Pam Pack was nearly flawless throughout its first eight games, piecing together a 7-0-1 record, which included a 2-0 victory over the Rampant just a few weeks ago.
Though Washington could not pull off the sweep, all was not lost in the loss.
“I was proud of my guys today,” Washington coach Jimmy Kozuch said. “We started off the season really good, 7-0-1 was a great start for us. But, in all honesty we needed a little something like this to humble us. It gives us something to strive for and now we can work on putting together a new streak and trying to win a conference championship.”
J.H. Rose struck with an up-tempo style of play, which paid off early, as they were able to take a 1-0 lead on a corner kick around the five-minute mark.
“We left a man open and their guy just finished a great header,” Kozuch said. “There really wasn’t much we could do about it. William Tate, our goalie, made a diving effort, but just missed it.”
The Pam Pack matched pace with the Rampants for the rest of the half to go into the break down 1-0.
Early in the second, Washington would climb even as Alex Donadio snuck one past the Rose keeper.
“Alex has tremendous game speed. He was able to go around a defender and the goalie came out so he was one-on-one with the goalie and he just chipped it by him,” Kozuch said. “It was a nice goal.”
Donadio’s goal reenergized the Pack.
“We had a little momentum,” Kozuch said. “The game was pretty even at that point. We woke up with about 25 minutes to go in the half and we pressed, and we pressed and we pressed. We did everything we possibly could.”
The Pack’s play was recognized by a supportive home crowd.
“We had a real nice fan base tonight,” Kozuch said. “I’d like to thank all the fans that came out and supported us. They were behind us the whole night and I believe they’re the ones that kept us alive.”
Despite the effort, Washington would never take the lead as Rose struck again on a quick-hitting play.
“Their goal came right off a cross,” Kozuch said. “He one-timed it in the box and he just crushed it.”
As the clock clicked down the Pam Pack appeared to tie the game when Rose scored on its own net. However, a penalty was issued on the play, negating the goal.
“William Page threw the ball in and this one was right on the money. Our guy, who was going for the ball, collided with their guy and he headed it into the goal,” Kozuch said. “Unfortunately, the referee called an off sides.”