BURLINGTON — In terms of results, the Lady Cougars proved not much has changed since last season.

In Lakewood soccer’s 1-0 win at Burlington-Edison Sept. 7 to kickoff the season, the Cougars relied on the solid defense and patient offense that earned them a trip to the second round of the 2A state tournament in 2009.

“That’s a good way to start the season,” said Lakewood manager Jeremiah Wohlgemuth. “I think at the beginning of the match we maintained possession really well and then got a little frustrated. That was probably the most physical game I’ve seen a Lakewood team play.”

A combination of physical play and runs ending one pass short of a shot attempt early on set up a second half that saw Lakewood break out, coming in the form of a collaborative goal in the 47th minute.

A Lakewood counterattack forced a throw-in deep in Burlington-Edison territory. Senior Alisha Stott’s throw found Mariah Smith running toward the end line. Smith then twisted around a defender and fired a shot across the mouth of the goal, which ricochet off Abby Burke’s hip and in.

“I just saw it coming and thought I had to get something on it,” Burke said.

Smith was credited with an assist, while Stott got the second assist.

“Mariah’s shot wouldn’t have been possible without Alisha’s throw,” Wohlgemuth said. “She’s a great threat — when we get a throw inside the (penalty) box like that, we see it as a corner (kick).”

The Cougars outshot the Tigers 12-6 in the game, and most of those came after the Lakewood scored.

“We were just passing and stuff out there and I think we felt a little pressure,” said Burke, a sophomore. “After that goal, it kind of got everybody more relaxed.”

Even more similarities to last year’s team, which finished 14-5, is a season opening win against Burlington-Edison, as the Cougars won 2-1 in 2009, and Burke scored the game-winning goal.

But the Cougars had one of their best chances to score inside the first three minutes, when a shot bounced off the crossbar.

Lakewood earned its first win and its first shutout of the season, which was also common in 2009, as the Cougars held opponents scoreless seven times. Goalkeeper Miranda Head posted her first shutout, recording five saves.

After a second non-conference game against Mount Vernon Sept. 9, Lakewood (1-0) will begin Cascade Conference play and will play host to Kings Sept. 16 at 6 p.m.