Gallery and Recap: Boys’ Soccer vs. Olathe North

On Tuesday, Oct. 8 the Lancer boys’ soccer team defeated the Olathe Northwest Eagles 3-1 in a game that had some striking similarities to the game played against SM North last Thursday. In both games, the Lancers scored several goals in the opening minutes of the game, and second half was scoreless for both teams.

The game was also Tyler Rathbun night for the team, a ceremony honoring star player Tyler Rathbun, who was killed in an accident in Nov. 2012. Head coach Jamie Kelly presented Rathbun’s parents with his jersey, retiring the number 14 from the boys’ soccer program. No other East player will wear Tyler’s number.

The first half started off well for East. Goals from senior Andrew McClanahan and two other players put the Lancers up three points with 27 minutes left in the half. The Eagles were able to score one goal after East controlled the game for most of the first half.

Just when Olathe North started to have more control of the game, the first half ended leaving the score at 3-1.

Starting the second half, the Lancers were missing the energy that allowed them to score so quickly in the beginning of the game. They had trouble creating any offensive opportunities until sophomore Derrick McClanahan sent a cross to senior Kamran Tavakolinia, whose shot went way over the crossbar.

The tired Olathe Northwest team tried frantically in the closing minutes to score, but to no avail. The game ended with an unchanged score, and the Lancers left the field with a 7-4-1 record. Next, on Thursday, Oct. 10,  they will play Blue Valley Northwest at the SM Soccer Complex. Tune into smeharbinger.net at 7 p.m. to watch it live.