By Aaron Swaney Herald Writer
The 4A/3A/2A district girls soccer tournaments begin today. Here’s a quick look at the games that local teams are playing in:
Lake Stevens vs. Edmonds-Woodway
3 p.m. at Edmonds Stadium
These two teams played once this season and the Warriors beat Vikings 5-0 close to a month ago. But a lot has happened since then, including a three-game winless streak by E-W that cost the Warriors a Wesco 4A South title. Lake Stevens, conversely is laying very well since that game, having not lost a game since Sept. 25. E-W head coach Bill LeCompte said that the Warriors will be successful if their midfielders play to their potential and he expects the game to be very physical and high paced.
Kamiak vs. Monroe
7:30 p.m. at Monroe H.S.
The Knights haven’t lost since Sept. 20 and they finished the season with four straight wins to beat out Jackson for the final district playoff spot. But that loss came at the hands of Monroe, which is in the district tournament for the first time since 2009 when the Bearcats advanced to the state quarterfinals.
Marysville Pilchuck vs. Shorecrest
7 p.m. at Shoreline Stadium
The Scots had finishing problems the one time they played the Tomahawks this season and the two teams came away with a 1-1 tie. Forwards Sophia Flohr and Maya Garber-Yonts will need to finish their chances this time around if Shorecrest wants to advance back to state. MP is led by Amanda Klep, who had 13 goals this season.
Marysville Getchell vs. Meadowdale
1 p.m. at Edmonds Stadium
This is the first time the Chargers are in the district tournament and they get a doozy of a first-round opponent in everyone’s favorite Meadowdale, which finished the season unbeaten and ranked No. 1 in the state. It doesn’t help that MG has a number of injuries after a physical loss to MP to end the season. Meadowdale is led by senior Emily Critchlow, who has 14 goals, and Roslyn Stapleton, who has nine assists. The Chargers will rely on Kelsee Crenshaw, who has 10 goals this season.
Ferndale vs. Stanwood
2 p.m. at Stanwood H.S.
It’s unfamiliar territory for the Spartans, who haven’t been to the district playoffs since 2008 when they were still in 4A. Now in 3A, Stanwood faces an unfamiliar Ferndale team that is 7-6-3 overall, but finished the season with a pair of wins, including a 2-1 decision over Bellingham. Stanwood, which shocked Everett late in the season, finished the season with three wins and a tie against 3A North competition. Lauren Allison leads the Spartans with 15 goals and 10 assists.
Shorewood vs. Everett
7 p.m. at Lincoln Field
After losing only one of its first 13 games, Everett stumbled down the stretch, losing two of its final three games. But the Seagulls maintained the 3A North No. 1 seed and face a Shorewood team they beat 2-0 earlier in the season. Everett coach Kosta Pitharoulis said he and his team need to step up their game going into the playoffs. “We need to make sure we don’t get caught up thinking about the regular season result and bring our ‘A’ game,” Pitharoulis said.
Burlington-Edison vs. Archbishop Murphy
5:30 p.m. at King’s H.S.
The Wildcats earned the Cascade Conference No. 1 seed by going undefeated throughout the regular season, but they don’t get a pushover in the Tigers in the first round. B-E finished 9-3 in the Northwest Conference and scored 40 goals this season. The Wildcats will rely on the play of Shelby Koch (16 goals, 9 assists) and Cali Crisler (12 goals, 10 assists).
Bellingham vs. Granite Falls
1 p.m. at Granite Falls H.S.
Granite Falls sees a familiar foe in Bellingham, which beat the Tigers in the first round of their last district appearance in 2010. Granite Falls will rely heavily on goalkeeper Courtney Young, who has seven shutouts on the season. The only common opponent is Blaine, which both teams easily beat.
