After a busy week of matches against top Seamount League teams, the Hazen Highlanders were able to keep their momentum going with a 2-0 win Monday at Evergreen.

Coach Ken Matthews said the challenge was not to drop off of current form against an improving team making a run at the 2A playoffs and according to the coach, they passed.

At the six-minute mark, freshman midfielder Reyes Garcia put a cross into the middle and senior season captain and forward Bunnell timed his run perfectly to score his 14th goal of the season. Adding in his four assists, Bunnell leads the league in goals and total points.

Three minutes into the second half, junior midfielder Isaiah Blount scored off an assist from senior Spencer Wilkins to get Hazen an insurance goal.

“The guys gutted this win out. We didn’t win ugly or beautifully – we got the job done,” said Matthews. “Give Evergreen a lot of credit, they took our passing game away from us and it showed.”

Matthews called it “another stand out game for Hazen’s defense” as all night, Evergreen attacked three and four on top. While they scrambled, the back line held out for their second straight shutout.

Hazen’s defense carries a 0.5 Goals Against Average in league play. Senior Defender Eddie Tim was Man of the Match and senior keeper Freddy Jeronimo got another shutout.

“Every game is important for us to get where we want to be at the end of the regular season. This is our spring break and we’re playing teams we beat in the first half of the season. It would be easy to think we could mail results in. The problem with that thinking is the teams we’re playing need wins to get to the 2A playoffs. And, make no mistake about it; everyone brings their “A” game when they’re playing the league leaders,” Matthews ended.

Hazen Varsity takes on Renton Wednesday at Renton Stadium.