The Vashon girls’ varsity soccer team had three games scheduled last week. When the Seattle area was struck on Thursday, Oct. 18, with what was said by experts to be the worst air quality in the world, they ended up only playing two, both ending in ties.

Tuesday’s home game saw the Pirates dressed in their all-black kits squaring off against Bellevue Christian with whom they have consistently been evenly matched.

Alex Waterworth rejoined the team after missing several games while under concussion protocol.

Vashon struck first, ten minutes into the contest with a lovely one-touch kick by Zoe Nowicki off a perfectly placed corner kick by Linnea Heuschert.

Midway through the first half keeper Ivy Staczek had her strongest test when Bellevue sent a hard blast on goal that she punched, sending it high over the crossbar.

Hanifa Khidr countered with her own big shot after receiving a through ball on the sideline. Bellevue’s keeper got her fingertips on the ball, and it glanced just wide of the net.

With six minutes remaining, from behind the midfield line, Besa Hruska found Khidr again on the outside. After receiving the ball, Khadir cut towards the center of the field, and in heavy traffic, launched a monster shot from the 25-yard line that, again, glanced off the goalkeeper’s gloves but this time it found the back of the net. The score was then Vashon 2, Bellevue 0. 0.

With only seconds left in the half, Bellevue took a corner kick that was executed perfectly, resulting in an unstoppable shot making the score 2-1 as the half ended.

The second half saw constant pressure, great hustle, and good defense by both sides along with a bit of chippiness often seen amongst close rivals.

With less than two minutes remaining in the game, Bellevue got another set play when the ball went out of bounds behind the Vashon net last touched by Staczek.

The corner kick was masterful, bending like Beckham used to do it, and scoring on an unassisted play.

The teams went into overtime tied 2-2. Vashon had the first great opportunity when Kate Spranger headed a corner kick toward the corner of the net that the Bellevue keeper stopped with an amazing effort.

Two five-minute overtimes were played, with neither team scoring, and it ended 2-2.

The second game of the week was played in the rain at Marymoor Park, again against Bellevue Christian.

The girls, as well as the region, were breathing easier as the rain cleared out the smoke that had been plaguing the area for the past few days. Possibly due to the rain, traffic was heavy getting across Lake Washington and the team arrived just minutes before game time, leaving no time to warm up.

Bellevue came out aggressively and their first shot on goal — in the first minute of play — scored. A strong contingent of islanders who had traveled off-island to cheer on the Pirates let out a groan.

No one was making excuses as both teams had to deal with it, but the rain made play extremely challenging.

The rest of the half saw strong play by both sides, including a rocket by Alanna Bass that traveled 40 yards in the air, missing wide by inches. Neither team scored again and Vashon trailed 0-1 after 40 minutes.

The Vashon coaching staff must have said some rousing words during the halftime break, because the Pirates were fired up in the second half. They evened the score off a corner kick sent to the middle of the pile, in front of the goal, that Besa Hruska directed in after it ricocheted off her body.

Vashon players and fans felt the energy shift and they scored again and took the lead, 2-1, with 30 minutes remaining.

The shift was short-lived though, as Bellevue tied it a few minutes later and the teams found themselves where they were three days previously, tied 2-2.

Relentless and skilled action ensued with both teams having chances to take the lead.

Pirate Natalie Vickers took a hard ball to the face, which stopped the game for several minutes as the Bellevue trainer tended to her.

Play resumed with more furious footwork, but regular time ended with the game still tied 2-2.

The teams played two additional overtime periods, with neither being able to break the knot, and ended in a tie — the second one between Vashon and Bellevue Christian in one week.

The Pirates’ overall record is now seven wins, four losses and three ties.