SNOHOMISH In 47 minutes of soccer, a goal by Lake Stevens ended one of the winningest seasons of soccer in M-P history.
After a scoreless first half in which Lake Stevens controlled the ball, their persistence paid off with the game-winning goal by Taryn Wright at Snohomish Highs Veterans Memorial Stadium Oct. 30.
Wrights goal put the Tomahawks in a position they had seen very little of this season trailing. M-P coach Geoff Kittle said he made adjustments on offense to increase the teams opportunities on the Lake Stevens goal. The girls also tried to seize the momentum that had carried them to a defining come-from-behind win at Monroe earlier this season.
But the Tommies struggled to string together plays.
The Vikings Karissa Spafford put the game away with less than eight minutes left and Lake Stevens avenged their two season losses to Marysville-Pilchuck by winning the one that really mattered a loser-out playoff game. Two nights later, Lake Stevens defeated Edmonds-Woodway 3-1, earning a slot to state.
Though the Tomahawks had a couple of near misses that could have changed the dynamic of the game, M-P didnt play like the team that had won 11 games this season, looking less aggressive on the field than they had in most of their regular season games.
Its been difficult the last few days to see Lake Stevens continue to win and realize that if we had gotten through that game we might be playing (at state), Kittle said. Thats been really difficult, but at the same time, you look back and realize this is one of the best seasons girls soccer has had around here in a long time.
Kittle added that the girls success transcends the M-P girls soccer program as one of the best seasons of M-P soccer, boys or girls.
Even on the guys side, I havent seen a guys team that has had only three regular season losses, he said. Its kind of good to see that our team had such a great season. Its one of the best seasons in soccer history. Thats a pretty good mark. We have to feel pretty proud about that.