Published: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Snohomish beats Lake Stevens in shootout, earns top seed to state
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Annie Mulligan / For The Herald
Snohomish goalkeeper Melissa Dreves dives after a shot by Lake Stevens in the first half of the 4A District 1 championship on Thursday night. The game went to a shootout where Dreves made two saves and the Panthers won 1-0. Both teams advance to the state tournament, which begins Tuesday.
LAKE STEVENS — It seemed almost inevitable that the 4A District 1 girls soccer tournament championship match between Snohomish and Lake Stevens would be decided in dramatic fashion.
After a season-series split that saw both previous games end in a shootout and accounted for just two total goals in regulation, the Western Conference North Division sides clashed for a third, and possibly final, time this season in Thursday night’s district championship match at Lake Stevens High School.
Snohomish junior goalkeeper Melissa Dreves made two saves as the Panthers prevailed 1-0 (3-1 on penalty kicks) in a shootout to earn the district title.
After watching the Vikings celebrate a league title-clinching over the Panthers on Oct. 27, Snohomish was able to absorb all the offensive pressure Lake Stevens applied en route to the victory and the No. 1 seed to the state tournament.
“We had a lot of injuries going on in our defense,” Snohomish head coach April VanAssche said. “We had players playing tonight that haven’t been at practice all week. Players were playing that hurt every step they took and almost made it to the end. My defenders have endured a lot in these last couple games and they keep stepping up game in and game out.
“Defense is what wins championships and they’re proving that right now.”
The Panthers earned their first trip to state since 2007 earlier this week with a thrilling, and high-scoring, comeback victory over Kamiak, but failed to mount a viable offensive attack for much of Thursday night’s contest.
“We thought (the deciding goal) was going to happen in regulation tonight,” VanAssche said. “It was a surprise to us. It wasn’t the way we wanted it, as far as getting to PKs, but we’re definitely happy with the outcome. Both teams left everything they had on the field for the full 90 minutes of playing time.”
The North Division champion Vikings applied heavy pressure from the wings and occasionally up the middle of the field, but struggled to finish some opportunistic chances in regulation.
Dreves came up with a handful of saves, though no shot seemed particularly troubling for the junior keeper.
Dreves saved a low shot by sophomore forward Dani Walsh in the 56th minute, followed by another save on a shot from distance two minutes later.
“Melissa is gaining confidence game after game,” VanAssche said. “She’s getting stronger and stronger and that’s just what you’d want from your keeper heading to state.”
Lake Stevens threatened to put an end to the game with attempts in the 72nd and 75th minute, as well as three dangerous forays into the Snohomish box in the two overtime periods.
“I felt like we played great,” Lake Stevens head coach Andy Knutson said. “That’s just the game, you’ve got to get it done. We just couldn’t capitalize tonight. They had some great saves and their defense did a great job. Obviously, their keeper did wonderful in the shootout.”
Dreves made consecutive stops on Lake Stevens’ third and fourth attempts in the shootout and Snohomish senior midfielder Grace Nelson netted the deciding penalty kick.
“We just all had the heart to put it away,” Dreves said.
Lake Stevens, which earned the district’s No. 2 seed to state, came up empty-handed on two early goal-scoring opportunities. Sophomore forward Brooke Pahukoa missed inches wide on a low shot to the far post after a nice passing combination between sophomore forwards Hailey Foley and Ciara Carter in the 3rd minute that created space for Pahukoa.
“Their outside was pressuring us, but my defense got back,” Dreves said. “I just knew that I didn’t want to let one in tonight because I wanted to beat Lake Stevens on their home field.”
Snohomish defender Brielle Nicholas rescued the Panthers minutes later by clearing a shot out of the goal mouth as Dreves was out of position.
The only way for the teams to meet again this season is in the state championship match.
“Three shootouts in one season (against the same team),” VanAssche said. “I think that says you’ve got two pretty darn good teams going against each other.”
After a season-series split that saw both previous games end in a shootout and accounted for just two total goals in regulation, the Western Conference North Division sides clashed for a third, and possibly final, time this season in Thursday night’s district championship match at Lake Stevens High School.
Snohomish junior goalkeeper Melissa Dreves made two saves as the Panthers prevailed 1-0 (3-1 on penalty kicks) in a shootout to earn the district title.
After watching the Vikings celebrate a league title-clinching over the Panthers on Oct. 27, Snohomish was able to absorb all the offensive pressure Lake Stevens applied en route to the victory and the No. 1 seed to the state tournament.
“We had a lot of injuries going on in our defense,” Snohomish head coach April VanAssche said. “We had players playing tonight that haven’t been at practice all week. Players were playing that hurt every step they took and almost made it to the end. My defenders have endured a lot in these last couple games and they keep stepping up game in and game out.
“Defense is what wins championships and they’re proving that right now.”
The Panthers earned their first trip to state since 2007 earlier this week with a thrilling, and high-scoring, comeback victory over Kamiak, but failed to mount a viable offensive attack for much of Thursday night’s contest.
“We thought (the deciding goal) was going to happen in regulation tonight,” VanAssche said. “It was a surprise to us. It wasn’t the way we wanted it, as far as getting to PKs, but we’re definitely happy with the outcome. Both teams left everything they had on the field for the full 90 minutes of playing time.”
The North Division champion Vikings applied heavy pressure from the wings and occasionally up the middle of the field, but struggled to finish some opportunistic chances in regulation.
Dreves came up with a handful of saves, though no shot seemed particularly troubling for the junior keeper.
Dreves saved a low shot by sophomore forward Dani Walsh in the 56th minute, followed by another save on a shot from distance two minutes later.
“Melissa is gaining confidence game after game,” VanAssche said. “She’s getting stronger and stronger and that’s just what you’d want from your keeper heading to state.”
Lake Stevens threatened to put an end to the game with attempts in the 72nd and 75th minute, as well as three dangerous forays into the Snohomish box in the two overtime periods.
“I felt like we played great,” Lake Stevens head coach Andy Knutson said. “That’s just the game, you’ve got to get it done. We just couldn’t capitalize tonight. They had some great saves and their defense did a great job. Obviously, their keeper did wonderful in the shootout.”
Dreves made consecutive stops on Lake Stevens’ third and fourth attempts in the shootout and Snohomish senior midfielder Grace Nelson netted the deciding penalty kick.
“We just all had the heart to put it away,” Dreves said.
Lake Stevens, which earned the district’s No. 2 seed to state, came up empty-handed on two early goal-scoring opportunities. Sophomore forward Brooke Pahukoa missed inches wide on a low shot to the far post after a nice passing combination between sophomore forwards Hailey Foley and Ciara Carter in the 3rd minute that created space for Pahukoa.
“Their outside was pressuring us, but my defense got back,” Dreves said. “I just knew that I didn’t want to let one in tonight because I wanted to beat Lake Stevens on their home field.”
Snohomish defender Brielle Nicholas rescued the Panthers minutes later by clearing a shot out of the goal mouth as Dreves was out of position.
The only way for the teams to meet again this season is in the state championship match.
“Three shootouts in one season (against the same team),” VanAssche said. “I think that says you’ve got two pretty darn good teams going against each other.”
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