The Pirate girls varsity soccer team kicked off its home schedule with a match against Charles Wright on Sept. 17.

The Tarriers were ready to play from the opening minutes, pressuring the Vashon back line and creating several good goal scoring opportunities. The Pirates repelled their initial advances, however, and managed to get on the board first, as Harper Howard lofted a beautiful entry pass to the top of the box that Llira McEachern received between two defenders and placed in the upper left corner of the net.

In a sign that there were to be plenty of goals in this game, the Tarriers took the kickoff straight down the field and tallied a score of their own less than one minute later.

Vashon managed to take the lead again, this time on an entry pass from Emily Browne that Maddie McEachern finished for a 2-1 Pirate lead.

Once again, Charles Wright countered almost immediately, this time scoring on a deftly taken penalty kick awarded on a foul in the box. The Tarriers took their first lead of the game a short time later, finishing a chance off the outstretched hands of Vashon keeper Lauren Ockinga for a 3-2 halftime lead.

The Pirate defense showed up much stronger in the second half and kept the hard-charging visitors from any further scoring. The offense seemed to pick up its game as well, pressuring Charles Wright again and again without luck.

The Pirates finally broke through late in the half as Bailey Ormsby took a pass from Madison Chapman and placed a ball to Maddie McEachern, who beat two defenders and lasered in a shot from 20 yards for her second goal of the game.

Both teams turned up the intensity from that point but could not manage a winning goal through regulation and overtime, leaving them tied with three goals apiece.

The tie leaves the Pirates with a 1-0-2 record heading into their Monday night home matchup with Life Christian. Results from that game were not available at press time. The girls continue play at Bellevue Christian on Wednesday and at home versus perennial powerhouse Seattle Christian on Friday.

— Kelly McEachern is a father of two Pirate soccer players.