LANGLEY — This past weekend the South Whidbey Youth Soccer Club’s U-13 boys select soccer team split their first two games in the preliminary round of the Commissioner’s Cup, winning 5-1 against Mount Rainier on Saturday, and losing 6-3 against the Crossfire Football Club on Sunday.

In Saturday’s game, the Revolution scored four goals in the first half and one in the second, with two each by Kai Da Rosa and Davin Kesler, and one goal by Andy Zisette.

“The game was never in doubt, as the Revolution dominated play,” coach Terry Swanson noted. “Team defense again set up the offense pursuit and pressure. Defenders Anders Bergquist, Parker Buchanan, Jordan Henriot, Oliver Saunsaucie and Tom Swanson have steadily improved in their heading and volleys from the beginning of the season.”

He added that midfielders Kameron Donohoe, Lucas Lieberman and Bryce Auburn are showing greater field vision with every game and finding open passing lanes to forwards moving to open space.

“Revolution goalkeeper Charley Stelling has worked very hard on improving his distribution and the keeper position, becoming a greater part of setting up the Revolution offense,” Swanson added.

Unfortunately, two key players — Saunsaucie and Lucas Leiberman — suffered ankle injuries that kept them out of the Crossfire contest the next day.

On Sunday, the team gave up three early goals in the first half to fall behind 3-0 to a very strong Crossfire team.

The Whidbey boys adjusted to the Crossfire team’s quick passing and started carrying the play later in the first half when Da Rosa scored a goal on a cross from Jeffrey Meier.

In the second half, Da Rosa scored his second goal on a chip pass from Donald Gambill, bringing the score to 3-2.

Da Rosa remembered his two goals with crystal clarity.

“Jeff passed the ball to me. I touched it with my right foot, then hit it over the goalie’s head when he tried to slide and stop me,” he said.

In the second period, Da Rosa was running hard down the field.

“Everyone was screaming and I saw the goalie was four yards off the mark, so I kicked it past his fingertips,” he said.

Crossfire scored two additional goals before Revolution striker Davin Kesler countered with a nice shot to the lower right corner for the final goal.

Cole Zink and Quinn Hassrick stepped in and played a strong outside midfield during this game.

Crossfire won, 6-3.

“Sunday’s game was very exciting to coach and for the boys to play in, as the Crossfire club is one of the top select programs in the nation,” Swanson said.

“They were able to out-push us to the ball,” Da Rosa said.

“They had really good passing skills and were calm with the ball.”

Andy Zisette’s job as right wing is to move the ball to the goal on offense or help the defenders as needed.

He said the coach noted the absence of two key players due to injuries.

“Coach Swanson said we played well against one of the best teams around and if we meet them again, the outcome might be different,” he said.

“I think we have a good chance because we’re a pretty good team.”

Swanson was pleased with his team’s performance.

“We gave them a scare when we came back from a 3-0 deficit and made the score 3-2, but Crossfire’s efficient passing allowed them to increase their lead near the end of the game,” he said.

The Revolution soccer team is in second place behind Crossfire. The top two teams will play in Vancouver, Wash. on Jan. 23.