The Vashon High School girls varsity soccer team finished their regular season on Oct. 25 by losing to the undefeated Klahowya Eagles 2-5.
The Eagles have dominated the league coming into the game with a 13-0 record with only one goal having been scored against them all season. Vashon’s season record was 7-5-3.
The weather was atrocious. Rain dumped on the girls as they did their pre-game warm ups leaving every one of them soaked to the bone before the kickoff. Puddles covered the track surrounding the field. Fans donned rubber slickers and huddled under umbrellas.
It was Senior Night, giving the team, parents, and fans an opportunity to show their support and appreciation to four players who have been a part of Vashon soccer for over 10 years. Captain Leah Gross, Hanifa Khidr, Myra Butler, and Daalny Meyer were recognized at halftime for their fantastic play, sportsmanship, and teamwork over the many years as they played their last regular season high school game. The girls shared some of their favorite soccer memories, including some dating back to their primary school days when they played for the Pink Pineapples and the Purple Rain.
The game ended 2-5 with the consolation being that the two goals were twice as many as had been scored on the Eagles all season. Despite the loss, Vashon finished fourth in the Nisqually league earning them a spot in the playoffs.
The post season started with the Pirates squaring off against the East Jefferson Rivals at their home field on Friday night, Oct. 28.
It was a perfect night for soccer; both teams were fired up. Coach Nicolino inexplicably had purple hair. The night was clear, the referees looked sharp in bright blue jerseys and the fans were ready to rumble.
The game started with early action both teams finding their rhythm and starting to assert themselves.
Nine minutes into the game, Vashon committed a foul in the goalie box leading to a penalty kick by the Rivals. Both teams lined up as the Rival kicker strategized. The whistle blew and she sent a rocket to the right side just as Staczek moved in the same direction. But the shot had too much juice on it and the 0-0 tie was broken.
Still on the right side, with the crowd getting larger and more raucous, Khadr received a lovely pass from Olivia Boyles. She cut towards mid field, then towards the goal, dodged two defenders, and finally found herself with a clear shot on goal. She took it and simply overpowered the goalie. Pirates-1 , Rivals-1
With less than two minutes in the half, in a span of 65 seconds, Vashon received three yellow cards. Mallory Keenan was carded for an aggressive play where the ref thought she got too much player and not enough ball.
The second was on Besa Hruska. No one in the stands knew what she had done wrong, but the ref in blue saw enough to warrant a free kick from the 20-yard line.
Coach Nicolino, while giving directions to the team to set up a wall prior to the free kick was then inexplicably carded. The shot went wide and the score remained tied at one.
The Rivals had a few minutes of friskiness, but couldn’t seem to muster much more and at the 18 minute mark, Heushert ripped a head-high rocket that the keeper couldn’t handle. The crowd erupted with shouts, stomps and hoots.
Playoff action was alive on Vashon and those not in attendance were missing a beauty. Still trying to be relevant the Blue Man’s whistle kept tweeting. With Vashon up 2-1, the clock seemed to be running in slow motion.
With just minutes to go in regulation, having been kept out of the Vashon end of the field nearly the entire half, a Rival player sent a hard shot that the entire fan base, and the Vashon keeper, thought would sail harmlessly over the goal. It nipped the beam though, bounced straight down crossing the line tying the game at two and that is how regular time ended.
The post season brings out the best in players. Pirates and Rivals alike were playing stellar soccer. Overtime would include up to two 5-minute over time periods. A Golden Goal would win and end the game.
Vashon kicked off and immediately sent the ball to the right side which was owned by Khadr all game. She took the ball to the corner and ended up on the ground still kicking and scrapping for possession while three Rivals tried to somehow gain control but instead kicked it out of bounds resulting in a Vashon corner kick.
The corner kick sailed smoothly to the center of the field, jammed with players from both teams. Spranger, at 5-foot-11, leapt above the throng and barely missed the header. Play resumed with Vashon showing superior speed, skill, footwork and tenacity.
One minute remained in the first overtime period. The Pirates positioned themselves for another set play. Boyles kicked from the right corner sending the ball into a scrum of players. The ball was kicked again, stopped, centered, stopped again, until finally it ended on the foot of Lyla Cohen who sent a bullet into the back of the net.
The team went bananas. Fans hugged and high-fived. Friday Night Lights.
Playoff, post season action like Vashon hasn’t seen in a long time.
A mass of fans from the student section swarmed the field and playfully mobbed the victorious Pirates. It was a beautiful thing and a wonderful night.
