Tuesday, the Highland Huskies soccer team started the season with a 2-0 road win at Mid-Prairie. Defenses controlled early action in a scoreless stalemate. Highland broke through in the 25th minute on a Jared Diaz goal to make the score 1-0. Ten minutes later, it was Diaz again, this time chipping the keeper to double the Huskies lead at 2-0. Highland held that same lead at half. Both defenses dictated things after intermission to put a halt to the scoring. The Huskies won shots on goal nine to three. Highland goalkeeper Ayden Havel finished a clean sheet with three saves. Following the match, Diaz and Havel joined KCII sports to talk about their play and the team’s win.
Diaz said, “It’s been about simple passes, the basics, and it clearly worked. We played a good game. (Scoring first) set the tone for the match. It was my job today to be a goal scorer. It’s our first time meeting Mid-Prairie in our careers, it’s phenomenal!”
Havel added, “It was a good confidence builder scoring first. We definitely got ready to go after that first goal. I’m just so proud of our team! It feels good to get a shut out, for Jared to put those two shots in, it just feels really good!”
Golden Hawk keeper Jacob Flynn made seven saves, Peyton Fox, Kale Miller and Adrian Sanchez each had a shot on goal. The Huskies are 1-0 on the season as Mid-Prairie falls to 0-1. Highland travels to Washington Thursday while Mid-Prairie travels to Williamsburg.