PREP NOTEBOOK: Wesco soccer teams headed for shootouts
Published 10:55 pm Monday, October 5, 2009
The second half of the Wesco girls soccer season could be more exciting than usual.
Thanks to a rule change requested by the league’s coaches, the remaining Western Conference games could feature penalty-kick shootouts.
In years past when teams were tied after two five-minute overtime periods, both squads earned a point in the standings. Game over.
But now — for the second round of North Division games and for all South Division games — teams will go to a shootout after two scoreless OT sessions. One team will earn a victory, which is worth three points.
Coaches requested the change after last season, said Wesco soccer commissioner Ed Bailey, the athletic director at Lake Stevens High School. This aligns Wesco with tie-breaker rules used in the state tournaments.
“It helps prepare the teams as to what they’re going to have as a tie-breaker when they start state playoffs. I think it’s exciting,” Bailey said.
The rule change also will be in effect for Wesco boys soccer in the spring. Coaches and administrators will evaluate the change, which is being used on a trial basis, and decide whether or not to make it permanent for the 2010-11 school year, Bailey said.
The rule change does not apply to games below the varsity level.
The adjustment could create more excitement for the fans and may change the way teams play in overtime, Bailey said. Instead of sitting back and hoping for a tie, squads are more likely to be aggressive and go for a game-winning goal, he said.
Lakewood runners make history
Before last weekend the Lakewood High girls cross country team had never won a regular-season invitational. The Cougars’ long drought is over. Sparked by second-place individual finisher Chelsea Stokes, Lakewood won the Mount Baker Invite on Saturday in Deming. In addition to Stokes — who completed the three-mile course in 18 minutes, 55 seconds — Lakewood’s scoring runners were Rachel Cundy (10th, 19:23), Chelsea Sowards (21st, 20:04), Amber Burnell (32nd, 20:37) and Tasha Bartol (68th, 22:00).
“Really pretty amazing,” Lakewood co-head coach Jeff Sowards wrote in an e-mail, “when you consider that the (Lakewood) girls program has been successful enough in the past to win three state championships.”
Hole in the Wall set for Saturday
About 1,500 athletes from at least 32 teams are expected to run Saturday in the 26th annual Hole in the Wall Invitational at Lakewood High School. The event includes several teams ranked in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association poll, including No. 1 Glacier Peak (3A girls) and Sehome’s boys and girls teams (both No. 2 in 2A). The host Lakewood Cougars are ranked No. 4 in the 2A girls poll and No. 5 in the 2A boys rankings.
Hall of fame to induct coaches
Four coaches are scheduled to be inducted into the Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Nov. 7 at the Yakima Convention Center. The honorees are Rick Bowers (Warden High School), Rockey Isley (Olympia), Darryl Smith (Olympic) and Gaylord Strand (Yelm). Also, the Joe Babbitt Contributors Award will be given to Phill Celver of Auburn. Tickets are available for $20. For more details call Andy Somera at 253-377-7217.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
