Sometimes practice does make perfect.

Thanks to a wonderfully executed play and stifling defense, the Washington boys soccer team defeated Kennedy 1-0 Thursday night at Kingston Stadium.

After a physical opening to the first half, the teams were locked in a defensive stalemate.

But at the 15-minute mark, Warrior forward Jacob Jensen secured the ball and started heading up the left flank towards Kennedy’s goal. Three Warrior players appeared in picturesque position, lined up for a Jensen cross.

The cross kick came from Jensen into the middle of the field, and the ball squeaked through the Kennedy defense. At the last second, Washington player Max Versteegh poked his knee at the ball, and caused it to nonchalantly roll past the helpless goalkeeper.

“I know this sounds cliché, but we actually worked on that exact thing yesterday in practice,” said Washington Coach J.P Graham. “And that is what we call a Max goal. He doesn’t score too many goals with his feet, he scores with his thighs, his chest, his head and he almost had another one in the second half. Well deserved on his part.”

A 1-0 lead was all the Warrior defense needed. After the well-executed score, the stalemate between the two teams continued, and Washington’s defense was air-tight. Kennedy mustered a few shots on goal, including a pretty rip by forward Eric Bertroche near the end of the game.

Bertroche nailed it from nearly 20 yards out, and just when it looked like a tie game, Washington keeper Hunter Loushin stepped in front.

“Our defense did a great job,” said Graham. “Hunter did not have to make too many saves. A couple balls that were up in the air, but no real shots. So we did a good job at eliminating the shots.”

Washington closed out the regular season at 10-7 overall and 9-4 in the MVC. Kennedy is 8-8, 6-7.

WASHINGTON 1, KENNEDY 0

Goals: CRW -- Max Versteegh. Assists: CRW -- Jacob Jensen