Experience keeps Monroe unbeaten

Published 11:43 pm Tuesday, September 16, 2008

SNOHOMISH — The Monroe Bearcats showed that experience beats mystique.

Playing with 15 returning players from last year’s varsity squad, Monroe shut out the reigning 4A District 1 champs, the Snohomish Panthers, 3-0 in a Western Conference North division girls soccer game Tuesday night at Snohomish’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The victory was Monroe’s second straight over the Panthers. The Bearcats defeated Snohomish 2-1, handing the Panthers its lone loss in the 2007 regular season finale.

“It’s always a rivalry, always a battle,” Monroe head coach Kathleen Potthast said of the Snohomish-Monroe contests.

Hannah Hawkins, Whitney Siler and Alyssa Drew scored goals for the Bearcats (2-0-1 in league and overall) and Monroe remained unbeaten, holding its second straight opponent scoreless.

“Our defense was phenomenal tonight,” Potthast said.

Goalkeeper Dani Philippart recorded her second consecutive shutout of the season and the sophomore keeper has yet to allow a goal this season.

Philippart and the Bearcats played a scoreless tie versus Cascade on Thursday.

“She was talking a lot. She worked hard back there. She earned the shutout,” senior captain Casey McNally said.

Coming off a fourth straight 4A state tournament berth, the Panthers looked nothing like the team that went 14-1-1 last season, and they shouldn’t.

These Panthers (1-1-0) have just six returning players — and four seniors — from last year’s 4A District 1 champions. They return just one of three all-Wesco first-team players, senior forward Juliet Desmarais.

Monroe, meanwhile, senses its opportunity for a playoff push with its 15 returning players including seven seniors.

“It’s definitely our season,” McNally said.

“The experience is great. It helps in practice on the field because it makes things easier. They practice harder,” Potthast said.

Snohomish took control of the first 15 minutes of the game playing the majority of the time on Monroe’s side of the field.

“We were struggling offensively the first two games. I think we pulled it together (Tuesday),” Potthast said.

When the Bearcats got their first scoring opportunity, they made the most of it. Janelle Davis connected with Hawkins for the first score of the game in the 26th minute. Davis had attempted a shot just moments before that, but it was blocked by Panther goalkeeper Cori Brown.

Monroe’s Kelsey Dye nearly extended the ‘Cats first half lead, missing a wide open opportunity in the 20th minute when her shot was wide right by a foot.

The Bearcats took the 1-0 lead into the half, but would come out striking again.

Snohomish’s Brown saved a Kaylie Sowler shot attempt in the first minute of the second half, but Monroe scored three minutes later on Siler’s goal in minute 36.

The defender stole the ball then scooted it past Brown for a 2-0 Monroe lead.

“It got through and Whitney got it for a breakaway,” Potthast said.

Monroe added its third and final goal midway through the second half on Drew’s score. Siler was credited with the assist.

The Panthers almost cut into Monroe’s lead when a corner kick was tapped into the goal, but Snohomish was called for a penalty and Monroe retained possession.

That was as close as the Panthers would get.

Monroe is trying to reach the postseason for the second straight season. The Bearcats finished strong last season posting a record of 8-7-2. They lost to Edmonds-Woodway 2-1 in the opening round of the 4A District tournament last season.