The Hazen Highlander soccer team is not getting a particularly warm welcome from other schools in the new North Puget Sound League, as the team fell 3-0 Tuesday at Kentwood High School.

Hazen opted up to 4A status this year to play in the NPSL following the demise of the Seamount League this summer.

The Highlanders started strong, opening with what coach Ken Matthews described as “three dangerous shots” before Kentwood was able to notch the first goal on a shot that bounced off a post to a waiting player.

A second rebound goal gave the Conquerors a 2-0 lead at the half and Kentwood sealed the deal on a corner kick in the second half.

But Matthews said even in the loss, there were positive signs for the Highlanders, who played well despite what the scoreboard read.

“You read 3-0 in the paper and maybe your reaction is ‘wow.’ But I don’t think we’re that far off competing in this league,” He said in an email. “We were playing our style at a quicker pace tonight. That’s a huge adjustment that will help us going forward.

hazen is now 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the NPSL. They play at Mt. Rainier on Thursday.