Two slow rollers made the difference as the Highline High School boys soccer team scored a 3-1 Seamount League victory over the Lindbergh Eagles this past Friday.

The first soft grounder that found its way to the back of the net came eight minutes into the match played at Highline Memorial and was actually scored by Lindbergh.

Senior midfielder Joel Hernandez was the last Pirates player to touch the ball, which was then rolled back by a Lindbergh defender with it slipping past the goalie.

It then crept over into the left back corner of the net.

The next goal for Highline was scored with 26 minutes, 27 seconds left in the first half and almost looked like an instant replay of the first goal.

This ball was sent on its way by Highline junior midfielder Alexandru Muresan, however, and this time it went past the Eagles' goalie on its own. It then dribbled into the left back corner.

The Pirates' third goal was more of the conventional variety, only the weather provided an assist.

Sophomore forward Eduardo Valdovinos sent a longer and harder shot into the middle of the net. The score came with 24:38 to play in the first half as the Lindbergh goalie battled the wind and a driving rain and held up through halftime.

Lindbergh did not put a crooked number on the scoreboard until 25:11 remained in the second half.

It came on a penalty kick that was called well inside the box and to the left and was drilled past a row of Pirates defenders and the goalie and in for a score.

Efrain Velasco, a junior forward, did the scoring honors.

Highline came close to scoring again in the closing minutes.

One apparent Pirates goal was called back on an offsides ruling, then time ran out after a penalty kick was called in the closing seconds. A strong wind made the ball tough to settle in front of the goal box, but Highline already had the victory in hand.

Next up for the Pirates is a 7:30 p.m. visit to the Tyee Totems on Wednesday, April 10.