KEY WEST -- Unable to get in any preseason games because of other schools' cancellations, the Key West High School senior-laden soccer team showed it is ready to play by winning, 3-1, over Mater Academy on Thursday in a game played at the Opa-Locka Amelia Earhart Airport and, 7-4, over Coral Shores at Sugarloaf Middle School on Friday.

Goal keeper Jeff Wright, a junior, may have looked as if he didn't have anything to do on Thursday, since he didn't have a save, but coach Jason Clifford said that actually Wright had an excellent pair of games.

"He played a good game (Thursday)," said Clifford. "He was moving everyone around in front of him. He just didn't have to stop shots." The Lions only had two shots in the entire game, recounted Clifford: One that went in the net and one that hit the bar. Shining on defense for Key West, said Clifford, was senior sweeper Shaun Hamilton.

Senior Andy Meillus, who hadn't played for the Conchs since his freshman year, "came back out and did a real nice job," said Clifford. Meillus got the team on the scoreboard at the 10-minute mark on a corner kick, then, early in the second half, took a pass from Werdon Charles, another senior, and, according to Clifford, "threaded it past the keeper. It was a nice goal."

Finally, at the 18-minute mark, the Lions scored on a penalty kick.

With eight minutes left, the Mater keeper and defender had a miscommunication and Charles put in the third Key West goal.

Although the final score might not show it, the Conchs had an easy time against Coral Shores, going up 4-0 before the first water break, 20 minutes into the game.

Clifford said it was a pleasure and "fun all around" to play at Sugarloaf. "There were about 250 seventh and eighth graders, mostly cheering for Key West," said Clifford. "The kids would pick out a player and chant his name."

Senior forward Monnel Azard scored the first two Key West goals. Meillus took a pass from Azard to make it 3-0 before sophomore Elec Fils-Aine got the ball at the top and outran the defense to make it 4-0.

The 2-0 Conchs play Tuesday at Miami Jackson and Thursday at Miami Central before coming home to face Pembroke Pines at 7 p.m., Friday.

rmorrow@keysnews.com