Kodiaks Soccer for the Win

Kodiaks celebrate after Shane Slette (12) scores the second goal at the March 18 away game against Cashmere.  This goal gave them a winning score of 2-1. Photo Credit: Ada Missal (10) 

Once again, the Cascade Kodiak boys' soccer team found themselves warming up in the Cashmere Bulldog’s territory. At 6 p.m. the whistle blew, marking the start of the match. The Kodiaks held possession of the ball firmly.  

For the first ten minutes of the game the Kodiaks found their rhythm on the left side of the pitch. Defender, Abe Gonzalez (12), midfielder Shane Slette (12), and forward Grant Burrill (10) passed the ball rapidly.  Even as they were contested, they swiftly glided around the opposing side and sent cross passes in hopes that their team members would have a shot on goal.  

During the first half, center backs Arlo Gibbs (11) and Cole Slette (12) held up the defensive line. It was to be noticed that their back line was of one mind and shared a connection which allowed them to maintain position and pass intelligently. This strength allowed the offensive players to experiment as well and gave them more opportunities towards the goal.  

Offensive players took this advantage without hesitation. Despite their efforts, the half time score was zero to zero. After the ten-minute half time, the Kodiak boys walked out of the locker room, but something was different. Determination followed the team, pushing them. Shane Slette (12) explained: “There was a motivational speech by coach (Jesus Sandoval), and we came out to the field with some good energy.”  

The second half held a completely different intensity. The Kodiaks' eagerness to win was present; anyone could see it. The aggressiveness presented by both teams was evident as both groups were pressed against each other pushing and shoving.  Orange and white jerseys were on the ground constantly; the bystanders waited intently. With just twenty minutes left in the second half, Cashmere blasted the ball into the net and brought the score to 0-1.  

The Kodiaks were not discouraged. There was a foul in the Cashmere goal box that led to a penalty shot for Cascade.  Gibbs was chosen to take the shot; he lined up and kicked the ball past the goalie into the net, scoring the first goal of the season. Leading up to the shot Gibbs recalled thinking how he “tried to stay focused, from distractions… to stay calm…I’ve made this shot 1,000 times; just needed to make it.”  

Gibbs’ performance brought the score to a tie and there were only ten minutes remaining. Both teams fought hard for shots and the tempo of the game increased once again.  Defenders Peter Roe (9) and Gibbs put up a fight on the right side of the field taking hit after hit from Cashmere letting nothing pass.   

“I thought oh this is the last chance, so I just took my shot,” reflected Slette.

During the eighth minute, Shane Slette (12) dribbled up the left side of the pitch, portraying his athletic ability and soccer skills by flying past Cashmere’s defensive line. “I thought oh this is the last chance, so I just took my shot,” reflected Slette. He shot the ball and scored, the Cascade crowd erupted with cheers, the score now 2-1 and the Kodiaks had taken the lead. During the  last few moments of the game, the Kodiaks worked hard and successfully prevented any further advancements by the Bulldog offense and securing their rivalry winning streak. This is certain to be one win of many for the 2025 Cascade Boys Soccer team.