Hazen Soccer jumped out to a 1-0 lead two minutes into the game a rode a strong second half performance to a 4-0 win against crosstown rival Renton. The win gives Hazen a 3-1-0 overall record and a 2-0-0 Seamount standing.

Junior midfielder Jorman Gonzalez got the first goal off an assist from sophomore Reyes Garcia. The score stayed 1-0 at the half.

“I felt like we were doing pretty well in controlling the pace and play in the attacking third of the field. We talked about speeding up the play a little when we started out of the central back,” said Coach Ken Matthews in an email. “Hector (sophomore defender Hector Cervantes) and Kyle (senior defender and captain Kyle Bunnell) adjusted and it was off to the races.”

After the break Hazen, scored three times in a ten minute span to put the game away. Senior mid Luis Puga, sophomore defender Zach Quesnel, and Garcia all scored goals off volleys. Seniors Isaiah Blount and Puga had assists.

“We have a couple of drills we run in practice a lot. During one of them I usually need a paper bag to blow into for my anxiety attack. The other one is shooting and when we get to the volley part we are all laughing. We put more balls into the trees than we do into the net,” said Matthews. “Three volleys tonight and one more at Evergreen – pretty neat.”

Matthews said he was a little nervous going into the game.

“We knew Renton was going to be improved from last year. Micah (Renton Coach McMonagle) is good. He’s got that team playing good soccer,” he said.

Junior keeper Jaime Martinez and sophomore Erik Johannesson shared the shutout.

The Highlanders play next on Tuesday at Highline.