Araujo’s hat trick leads Cruisers in high-energy clash with Orting

The Eatonville Cruisers soccer team endured a demanding three-match stretch last week, showing flashes of attacking quality and resilience despite mixed results.

Eatonville's Gui Vilaverde Araujo splits two Steilacoom defenders as he pushes the ball upfield. Araujo scored once against the Sentinels in a losing effort, however he recorded a hat trick in the Cruisers 4-3 win over Orting earlier in the week. Photo: Heather Quirie

Eatonville opened the week with a 3-0 loss to Franklin Pierce on Tuesday, March 31. The Cruisers struggled to generate offense.

They bounced back Thursday, April 2, with an impressive performance against Orting in a high-scoring, hard-fought match.

The Cruisers struck quickly, taking the lead in the sixth minute when Gui Vilaverde Araujo finished a well-worked play off an assist from Nathan Christensen. Orting answered with a penalty in the 12th minute to even the score, but Eatonville maintained composure and controlled stretches of possession.

Araujo found the net again in the 25th minute, this time assisted by Tony Backlund, to restore the lead. Goalkeeper Cypress Pacatte played a key role in the first half, recording five saves to keep Eatonville in front.

Orting equalized shortly after halftime in the 48th minute, but the Cruisers responded immediately. In the 50th minute, Ben Bernt scored on a header off a precise assist from Christensen. Araujo completed his hat trick just one minute later, again set up by Christensen, extending the lead.

Orting added a goal in the 62nd minute, but Pacatte and the Eatonville defense held firm. Pacatte finished with six more saves in the second half as the Cruisers secured a strong result behind clinical finishing and steady goalkeeping.

Eatonville returned to action Friday, April 3, facing Steilacoom in a high-energy contest that ended in a loss.

Steilacoom took control early with a penalty in the ninth minute and added a second goal on a free kick. The Cruisers settled in and began to move the ball effectively, with Pacatte making four key saves in the first half to keep the match within reach.

Steilacoom extended its lead early in the second half, but Eatonville answered in the 48th minute when Bernt finished a strong run with a goal off an assist from Araujo. The Sentinels responded with goals in the 53rd and 59th minutes to pull away.

Eatonville continued to fight. In the 68th minute, Araujo scored on a strike assisted by Connor McIlraith, highlighting the team’s attacking ability. Steilacoom added another goal in the 73rd minute to close out the scoring.

Pacatte recorded eight additional saves in the second half, finishing with a standout performance despite the result.

The Cruisers will look to regroup in a busy week ahead with four matches scheduled. Eatonville travels to Fife on Tuesday, and then faces Lakes on Wednesday. The team returns home Thursday to host Washington and will close the week at home against Foss.