SHOREWOOD — The Cougars played like a team just getting to know one another.

In a 7-0 defeat at King’s, the Lakewood boys soccer team displayed moments of promise, but ultimately had a difficult time keeping the Knights’ attack at bay in a Cascade Conference match March 26.

“We’ve got to speed things up to the varsity level,” said Lakewood first-year coach Bryce Barker. “They ran circles around us and we’re just not quite at that speed of play yet. We’ve got the ability — it’s an experience thing.”

Fighting for possession early in the contest, Lakewood had opportunities to score, but were unable to finish. King’s ended up figuring out the Cougars’ offsides trap and breaking the clean sheet in the 11th minute after Logan Griffiths got a second rebound when a long cross and the ensuing shot were deflected by freshman goalie Tug Giorgio. Just a couple of minutes later, the Cougars were victim of their own goal while trying to clear a long cross that passed through the area without being touched, making the score 2-0.

“It’s good that the guys got to see what it takes to play at the level we’re working toward,” Barker said of playing King’s.”

Despite the shutout, Lakewood’s attack was not without fireworks, as Mason Brisben’s set piece strike from roughly 25-yards out was perfectly placed in lower corner of the far post, beating King’s keeper Tyler Bush in the 19th minute. The celebration, however, was quelled as the goal was called back due to offsides.

Lakewood put together a handful threatening situations, but were never quite able to finish, and eventually let their inability to score get to them in the second half, trailing 4-0.

“We’ve got to realize that if we stick to the way we can play and keep shooting, you can comeback from being down,” Barker said. “But this is a bunch of guys who haven’t played together yet. We don’t have any kind of rapport yet.”

Standing out to Barker during the game was defender Jeremy Rose.

“At times, he was the best player on the field,” Barker said. “He was the leader our defense and helped us maintain possession.”

Also standing out was Giorgio, who racked up 17 saves and halted nearly a handful of breakaway situations. And reserve, Josue Rivera’s presence in the midfield brought stability to the left side, and an attacking threat.

The Cougars have started the Cascade Conference season 0-2 and take a week off for spring break before resuming play April 3 at home against Coupeville.