SEASIDE There was nothing to be gained or lost in the league standings, but dont tell the Astoria and Seaside boys soccer teams there wasnt anything on the line Tuesday night at Broadway Field.

Theres always pride and bragging rights when the Fishermen and Gulls meet on the pitch, and both teams played like it in Tuesdays Cowapa League regular season finale, won by Astoria, 1-0.

A goal by Astorias Hector Chavez in the 68th minute was the lone score as the Fishermen tuned up for the postseason with their first shutout win since a 2-0 victory over Catlin Gabel Aug. 29.

It was a shutout, and we needed it, said Astoria coach Bill Patterson. Seaside could have easily won that game. And theyre a first class team. They took the high road after the game, and congratulated us and wished us luck in the playoffs.

The Gulls pounded the Astoria net with several shot-on-goal opportunities in the first half, but either came up empty or had their shots knocked down by Astoria goalkeeper Jason Keating.

Had the ball bounced their way, (the Gulls) could have been up 3-0 at halftime, Patterson said. I think the speed of the turf bothered us in the first half, and offensively our inside midfielders played too far toward the middle of the field.

We made a few halftime adjustments, he said. Coach (Tim) Fastabend taught our guys how to better defend against the long ball, and I tweaked the offense a little.

In addition, Seaside goalkeeper David Ward stopped most everything the Fishermen threw at him in the second half, while the Astoria defense also stepped up the pressure over the final 40 minutes.

David (Ward) played brilliantly he always does, Patterson said. And Keating only touched the ball twice in the second half for us. Defensively, Marcelino (Ochoa), Rory (Loughran) and Alex (Junes) all played well.

The Fishermen finally found the back of the net 28 minutes into the second half, as Chavez finished an attack started by Jordan Gagnon, who got the assist.

Astoria will now turn its attention to the postseason, where the Fishermen will likely host a game next Tuesday, possibly against Henley or North Marion.