After an upset win on the road at Kings High School over the weekend, the Vashon High School girls soccer team returned for their last two regular-season games at home.

The Pirates first faced the Seattle Christian Warriors on Tuesday, Oct. 28. The two teams met earlier in the season in a close game, with Vashon losing 2-1. Although a loss would not eliminate Vashon from district playoffs, it would increase the pressure on their final game.

As they have all season, Vashon got off to a quick start after kickoff as freshman Lana Antonelis quickly moved the ball down the field. She was able to send the ball across to sophomore Josie Reiling, who sent in a powerful shot and put the Pirates up 1-0 in the opening moments of the game.

Vashon managed to maintain possession for the next 15 minutes, easily passing amongst each other and winning throw-ins off Seattle Christian as the Warriors settled into their formation on the field. Once Seattle Christian got a touch on the ball, it was clear they had an agenda to take long shots on Vashon’s goal, sending in consecutive attempts in the 16th and 18th minutes.

The third time was the charm as the Warriors beat Vashon’s defense and sent in a long curling ball to the upper right-hand corner, equalizing the game in the 19th minute.

The Pirates continued to struggle to regain possession as Seattle Christian sent in another long shot in the 23rd minute. This time, the ball hit the woodwork and deflected off a Vashon player for a corner kick. Seattle Christian’s goal scorer delivered a textbook corner kick dropping at the back post, and it was easily tapped in to give the Warriors the lead.

Coach April Bottman-Haase made some notable substitutions in the 30th minute, which shifted some players up front, with little effect. Seattle Christian was awarded a free kick in a dangerous position after a handball was called on senior Rachel Gross. Luckily, the kick went over the crossbar, and the Pirates went into the half still down 2-1.

Similar to the start of the game, the Pirates again came out strong and managed to create a few opportunities in the first few minutes of the second half. Unfortunately, a handball was called on junior and co-captain Lillith Provo in the 45th minute just past the center of the field.

Sensing it was too far out for an attempt on goal, Vashon’s defense lined up higher than normal to intercept any passes. Seattle Christian was still able to slide a ball through, and it was another shot from range to put the Warriors up by two.

The Pirates were able to shake this off and redoubled their offensive efforts, playing the ball out with more purpose from the back and winning more battles for possession in the midfield. Their hard work paid off when freshman Evie Serebryakov gained control of the ball and sent it out wide to Antonelis.

After some speedy footwork, Lana surprised a Seattle Christian defender by cutting back and passing the ball to junior and co-captain Isa Knowler, who took the shot and scored in the 54th minute.

Now down by one, Vashon continued to push for another goal, as a draw would put them in a better position for qualifying for the district playoffs. The team showed determination as they had four attempts on goal in the final 10 minutes. Unfortunately, none of those shots found the back of the net, and the final score was 3-2, a Warriors win.

Pirates dominate in season finale

Finding themselves in a must-win situation, Vashon faced the Life Christian Eagles on Thursday, Oct. 30, at home. With the Eagles’ unexpected draw against fourth-place Cascade Christian, they created a one-point buffer for themselves in an attempt to qualify for the district playoffs. Knowing another draw would secure the final spot, the Eagles lined up with five players on defense. The two teams ended 1-1 when they met previously in the season.

The Pirates again dominated possession right from the whistle and had six shots in the first 15 minutes of the game. Vashon’s defense had very little to do as the midfield and offensive players strung together a series of passes around the field.

In the 24th minute, the Pirates won a corner kick. Reiling played it short, and Knowler sent a shot in from distance. Although it was easily collected by Life Christian’s keeper, her distribution was picked up by senior Morgan Earnest, who passed the ball to Serebryakov.

Antonelis managed to hold her run and stay onside while Evie sent a ball through to her in the box. Lana had a clean finish and put the Pirates up 1-0 in the 26th minute.

Now down by one, the Eagles put a little more effort into their offense but were largely kept at bay by Gross on defense. Senior goalkeeper Nya Hart easily cleared a feeble attempt on goal in the 34th minute with what was only her third touch on the ball in the game.

Looking for an insurance goal before the end of the half, Vashon sent in three more shots in the last five minutes, but they all went wide of the net.

Life Christian came out with a little more intensity in the second half, committing a series of fouls in the first few minutes. Junior Miriam Casad took one of the free kicks awarded to the Pirates in the 45th minute and sent a perfectly placed ball down the field to junior Utisah Durahim. She then crossed the ball into the midfield to Knowler, who fired a cannon of a shot from range to double the lead.

At this point, the Eagles seemed to lose all steam. Vashon continued to dominate possession and scored a real team goal in the 59th minute after connecting passes from Knowler, Serebryakov, and Earnest. The ball ended up in the box and was bobbled by Life Christian’s keeper. Antonelis was in the right place at the right time and pounced on the opportunity to take the Pirates up 3-0.

Although the Eagles managed to score a consolation goal in the 62nd minute, the game was all but wrapped up before the final whistle blew. The Pirates enjoyed a well-deserved win for their final game of the regular season.

Coach Bottman-Haase expressed her pride after the game, saying, “The girls’ soccer team has built a strong culture of trust and teamwork, playing as a true unit on the field. Their ability to work together and attack into the goal box has grown tremendously since the beginning of September. They never give up, showing determination and heart in every game.”

The Pirates will need to rely on their teamwork and determination as they face the Klahowya Eagles in the first round of district playoffs.

Jenni Wilke is an educator who covers girls soccer for The Beachcomber.