The first home game for the Vashon High School girls’ soccer team was an intense matchup against Everett High School on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Both of the teams seemed fairly even. The Pirates had a lot of great chances, but eventually were down 1-0. An amazing ball from Madison Brown that Dalia Aladin put in the back of the net had the supporters out of their seats. Unfortunately, the referee raised his flag to signal a controversial offsides call on Aladin.

When halftime came, the Pirates were glad to have a chance to gather themselves and get back into their formation. But halftime didn’t do the job well enough, and Vashon fell behind 2-0 to the Everett team.

The Pirates refused to give up and eventually got themselves back into the game. Grace Riggs lofted a free kick into the box, which Aladin finished off with a header. This was quickly followed up by another beautiful goal by Aladin into the back corner off of a through ball from Lauren Jenks. Try as they might, the Pirates were never able to take the lead and the game ended with at a 2-2 tie.

Coach Alan Zoltie said he was proud of everyone for fighting back against such a good team, and the Everett coach was surprised that such a small school could tie a team that fully expects to win state.

After a comfortable win on Thursday evening against a Forks team that tried their best despite many of the players having zero experience, the Pirates suited up for their first league game on Saturday afternoon against Bellevue Christian. The Pirates took the lead after Brown played a ball through to Aladin. The left-footed shot went off the inside of the post. Aladin created so many chances that the Bellevue team decided they needed a way to stop her. They kept her at bay and Bellevue Christian had a chance to slot the ball past Vashon’s onrushing keeper, Sydney Adams.

Soon after halftime, the Pirates scored again. Mira Peterson took a picture perfect corner kick that Aladin finished off her head. A diving catch from Adams kept the Pirates in front, but it was not enough. Vashon’s opponents took advantage of an opportunity to kick the ball out of the hands of Adams and into the goal.

The tireless effort of the defensive line, including Anna Riggs, Grace Riggs, Kat Andrus, Emme Osborne and Lizzy Sutherland, kept the Pirates in the game.

The final score was 2-2, but the Pirates will want revenge the next time they play Bellevue Christian.

The girls play an away game next at 12:45 p.m. Saturday against Port Townsend High School.

— Paris Crispin is a member of the varsity soccer team, currently on the injured list.