Prep girls soccer: Glacier Peak 3, Shorecrest 2 (shootout)

Published 2:22 pm Wednesday, September 29, 2010

SNOHOMISH — The Glacier Peak girls soccer team couldn’t daunt Shorecrest freshman keeper Frida Swenson.

Despite earning a 3-2 shootout win over their Wesco 3A rivals and taking a share of first place with the Scots, remaining undefeated was notr easy for the Grizzlies (6-0 league, 7-0-1 overall) on Tuesday night at Glacier Peak H.S.

And the main reason for that was Swenson.

Glacier Peak had a total of 24 shots on goal, the vast majority close range opportunities, with just two finding the back of the net.

The Shorecrest keeper made save after save of Glacier Peak’s point-blank opportunities and it wasn’t until the 73rd minute, when Emme Davis cleaned up a loose ball, that Glacier Peak finally got the better of her.

“(Swenson) made some great reaction saves which is really impressive for a freshman,” Glacier Peak head coach Melinda Torre said. “She had a lot of poise. She’s 6 foot something, so she’s imposing in there.”

“She just played really well,” Torre added.

It was Shorecrest (5-2, 5-3) which opened up the scoring as junior Nicole Harris scored in the 27th minute. The Scots then took a 2-0 lead when Melissa Ruhlman found the back of the net and it looked like Shorecrest would send the Grizzlies to their first league loss.

But Brie Cleveland’s long ball just before half gave Glacier Peak the momentum it needed. Torre admitted the goal was critical.

“You know, Cleveland just struck a ball, one of those high, looping balls that are a nightmare for keepers that found the back of the net and it got our players riled up going into the half,” said Torre.

With that momentum, the Grizzlies were able to put constant pressure on Swenson and the Scots defense until finally, with seven minutes remaining in the contest, Davis was able to tie it up.

The shootout slid Glacier Peak’s way right at the outset as Shorecrest’s first shooter hit the crossbar and the Grizzlies made their first two shots. Then on the fourth attempt, senior Alex Carlson capped off a thrilling comeback win.

“They just kept working, kept working and finally one of those balls went through for us,” Torre said.