Offense was hard to come by for the Washington Demon boys’ soccer team Tuesday evening. The Demons began the new year in Columbus Junction, battling the Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union Wildcats (1-0 overall) in a non-conference clash. Washington was held scoreless, falling to Columbus, 3-0.

The Wildcats recorded two of their three goals during a four-minute span in the first half. Junior Alejandro Hernandez scored Columbus/Winfield-Mount Union’s opening goal of the season in the 24th minute. The Wildcats were back on the scoreboard in the 28th minute as junior Eric Cantarero knocked a Adrian Santo’s corner kick into the back of the net, giving Columbus a 2-0 lead. The score would stay intact as the teams went to intermission.

The Wildcats gained an insurance goal in the 48th minute off a header into the net by senior Diego Sanchez, extending the lead to 3-0. The result stayed the same as the final horn sounded. Winfield-Mount Union senior Warren Krieger-Coble made four saves in the shutout victory.

Washington put six shots on goal in the setback. Sophomore Thomas Zimmer made 15 saves in the net for the Demons.

The Demon boys’ soccer team returns to the pitch Friday in rural Riverside, squaring off against the Highland Huskies (0-1 overall). The Huskies lost 3-0 to Southeast Iowa Super Conference foe the Iowa Mennonite School Tuesday in rural Kalona.