Syed nets four as Skyline routs Hazen in boys soccer
The Skyline Spartans boys soccer team battered the Hazen Highlanders 6-0 on Tuesday night, marked by four goals from junior forward Daanish Syed. The other two goals were scored by Shaw Roberts and Drew Sovde.
Coming into the game, Skyline (6-3-0) were the slight favorites, having superior form to Hazen (3-6-0). The Highlanders suffered multiple high goal difference losses previously, losing 4-0 to both Kentridge and Woodinville, and a 5-0 loss to Bothell, all coming away from home. The Spartans, on the other hand, have only lost by one goal in the season.
The Spartans set up in a standard but fluid 4-3-3 formation, and especially prioritized fullback movement, providing support for winger width and speed. Skyline was quick to pounce on balls and hit on the counterattack, taking advantage of Hazen’s mistakes in the back line and midfield.
Fast transitions made by Skyline allowed for Syed’s first goal, capitalizing on a loss of Hazen possession in midfield. The ball was touched to Spartan right winger Rayirth Dasgupta, who used his superior pace to burst down the side of the pitch. He fed a low cross across goal for Syed, who had been tracked by Highlander defender Evan Oyer. Syed shook his marker off and tapped the ball in for his first goal of the night.
Syed’s second goal also came due to sloppy play from Hazen’s midfield. After Skyline regained possession, Jacob Hutchings lobbed the ball up for Cruz Rivera, whose flick on header put Syed through on goal. With Highlander goalkeeper Owen Pruitt’s mispositioning, Syed shot the ball near the post, giving Skyline a steep advantage just before halftime.
Syed’s third goal came exactly like his first, with Hazen defender Cody Aqui’s clearance blocked by the Spartans’ Shaw Roberts, putting Dasgupta through on the right wing and delivering a cross for Syed to score easily for his hat trick.
To round up the night, Pratham Pulletikurti picked up the ball after Syed lost it at the edge of the 18-yard box, taking it past four Hazen defenders and managing a shot off. The shot was saved by the Highlanders’ goalkeeper, but Syed scored on an almost open goal for his fourth goal with four minutes left in the game.
Syed’s positioning during the game allowed him to capitalize on open spaces and rough organization within the Hazen defense. Skyline’s tactics were also on point, taking advantage of fast transitions and counterattacks.
