Oly’s Clark burns Klahowya with speedy attack

If the name Cody Clark isn’t yet familiar, give it a season. At this rate, the Olympic High freshman will be a household name in no time; one of coach Steve Haggerty’s secrets that is gladly out of the bag.

“He’s got speed and he’s got consistency,” Haggerty said. “In soccer, that’s a great combination to have.”

Clark had his third hat trick of the season Saturday, helping to elevate Olympic over Klahowya 4-2 at Silverdale Stadium.

Aside from Clark’s offensive prowess, the Trojans had several players step up for others who were out. Combined with a strong first half in the cage by goalie Raymond Boucher, Oly had a 2-0 halftime lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

Haggerty said his Trojans (4-3-1) did a great job of filling in for players like co-captain Ryan Frandsen, who was attending a sports medicine competition.

“That was a good game,” Haggerty said. “We had a bit of a stretched framework today. But the kids stepped up and did a nice job.”

Olympic was able to take control early when Paul Newling found himself all alone thanks to Shawn Flewell’s great set-up pass. Newling pounded a shot from about 15 yards out that curved by a diving Bryce Wick, Klahowya’s goalie, for a 1-0 lead 17 minutes in.

Going with the wind, Oly found themselves up even more as Clark cut through the Klahowya (6-3-0) defense and tapped one by Wick for a 2-0 lead that would hold into the half.

“We knew they would just pound the ball down out throats with that wind,” Haggerty said of the Eagles second-half attack.

That plan began to work too, as seven minutes into the second half, Elias Cooke found himself with a free kick that he was able to put in the back of the net.

But that was as close as the Eagles would get, down 2-1. Clark would sink another for Oly before Darryn Reinerston cut the lead back to one at 3-2 with his team-leading fifth goal of the year.

Clark would speed by four Oly defenders 5 minutes later to stick in his third goal of the game (11th of the season) and secure Oly’s 4-2 win.

It’s a recipe for success Haggerty wants to stick with.

“Sometimes I just wish he’d shoot more,” Haggerty said of Clark.

In addition to Clark, Haggerty said fellow freshman call-up Kevin Anglada did a great job filling in, as did Dan Fry. Haggerty also praised the play of junior Greg Ford, who moved over to center mid to help the depleted Trojans.

“They all did a great job to step in and pick it up,” Haggerty said.

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