Kicking off October, on a sun-filled day at Marymoor Park in Redmond, the Vashon Island High School Pirates exorcised their demons by defeating the Vikings of Bellevue Christian 4-0. This was their first win versus the Vikings in league play in more than four seasons, although the Pirates had defeated the Vikings in the playoffs the past three years.

The match began with possession maintained equally between both teams. Pirate goalkeeper Tamsen Henry continued her strong season defending the net while also battling the blinding setting sun.

Midway through the first half, sophomore midfielder Franki Brown took advantage of a beautiful cross from junior forward Payton Venturi and buried the ball in the right corner of the Viking net to start the scoring, Pirates up 1-0. It was the Vikings’ goalkeeper’s turn to battle the setting sun in the second half and the Pirates capitalized on the added advantage.

Ten minutes into the half, Henry’s dropkick from her position in goal cleared the midfield and bounced past the Viking backline, finding the capable feet of senior striker, Sydnee Adams. Adams outmaneuvered the Viking defense and drilled the second score of the game to raise the Pirate lead to 2-0.

Minutes later, Adams took another pass from junior Corinne Ryan and chipped it over the Viking goalkeeper for her second goal and first multi-goal game of the season, bringing the Pirate lead to 3-0. Continued strong play in the Pirate backline from sophomore Phoebe Wilke and possession in the midfield by Ryan helped prevent any Viking attempts to mount a comeback.

Late in the half, Adams took the ball up the left side, drawing attention from the Viking defense and crossed the ball to the waiting foot of Venturi who calmly sent the ball to the back of the Viking net, giving the Pirates their last goal in a 4-0 win.

— Brian Adams is the father of Pirates senior forward Sydnee Adams.