While the Overlake School boys soccer players rested and guzzled water during halftime on a scorching Tuesday afternoon, coach Bob Bristol addressed the squad that built a 3-0 lead over Eastside Prep at Marymoor Park.

There was still more work to be done for the Owls, and Bristol urged them to keep possession of the ball, make good passes and wait for the best shot on goal.

Overlake netted three more goals on the day en route to a 6-0 win and upped its 1A Emerald City League record to 8-0. Leading the way on the scoring sheet this season are Matt Slee with six goals and four assists, Luke Wetherbee with four goals and three assists and Loucas Tsilas with two goals and six assists. Other top players are midfielder Harrison Mickle and defender Quinn Clelland.

The Owls won the league title last year and qualified for state, and co-captains Wetherbee and Nathan Cunningham feel the team is on a solid roll so far.

“The offense is working really well and the rotations are more fluid,” said senior Wetherbee, adding that there are three or four players vying for positions and it keeps everyone on their toes and wanting to get into the high-powered offensive mix.

Cunningham, a junior, is part of the defensive crew and said the Owls are “super competitive and have a lot of skill.” They work well together in shutting down opponents’ offensive attacks.

Sometimes that tough play results in players receiving “battle wounds” Wetherbee said as he pointed at Cunningham’s left leg, which was a bit tattered due to a clash with a Bush School player in last week’s match. Cunningham shrugged and said that he plays through it because he doesn’t want to miss out on the action — or lose his spot in the lineup.

Wetherbee said the coaches have instilled a hard-working attitude in the players and they give it their all from start to finish.

At the start of each half, Cunningham said the Owls tell each other, “The next five minutes, go as hard as we can,” because that will set the tone for the following 40 minutes and could make the difference in the outcome of the game.

The Overlake players are enjoying their time on the pitch, but they also embrace past Owl teams, one of which won the state title in 2012 with an undefeated record.

“I was at the (state final) when I was in eighth grade and knew I was going to be part of the team,” said Wetherbee, who joined the squad the following year and has since contributed to its further success.

Bristol, who has coached at Overlake for 21 years, said the high school experience is a special one in that players are proud to compete for their school and they also cheer for the other Owl teams. It’s more than just soccer, the coach says, noting that he instills the values of sportsmanship, camaraderie and commitment in his players.

Players’ thoughts go way beyond the field as Bristol noted that his team is wearing yellow/gold laces in support of an Overlake parent/coach who is battling cancer.

“Many of the kids had him as a coach in middle school. All teams (not just soccer) were wearing the laces,” Bristol said.

“Because many are friends with his two boys, they jumped on this idea. Although it was intended for one game, some continue to wear them. “