Despite two wins a row, Hazen boys soccer coach Ken Matthews said he was afraid his team “took a step backward” on Wednesday with a 0-0 tie at home against Evergreen.

“This was a game we needed to take all three points to have some cushion going at the league championship and the no. 1 seed,” he said in an email.

Matthews said Evergreen “frustrated” his team all night and was able to hold off every offensive threat.

On the positive side, senior keeper Jamie Martinez stood strong for a shutout of his own.

The draw comes on the heels of two wins for the Highlanders, including a 2-1 victory over Liberty and a 3-0 win against Lindbergh, matches that Matthews saw as the team making progress after a 4-0 opening match loss to Interlake.

Hazen is now 2-1-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the Seamount League. They play Foster Friday at Renton Memorial Stadium.