Panthers’ defense playing at epic level
Published 6:35 am Thursday, October 4, 2007
Going undefeated in the first 10 games of a season is impressive. Not allowing a single goal? That’s almost unheard of.
But somehow the Snohomish High School girls soccer team has accomplished both feats. It’s currently one of the most remarkable prep sports achievements in the area and around the state.
Dan Pingrey, Snohomish’s 10th-year head coach, said he has never seen anything like it at this level. In the early 1990s Pingrey had a junior varsity boys team go undefeated without allowing a goal all season. But this is different.
As impressive as the streak has been — Snohomish is 9-0-1 and has outscored opponents 26-0 in more than 800 minutes of game time — the team is focused on its original objectives: win the Western Conference North Division and qualify for the Class 4A state tournament.
“If a goal gets scored on us, oh well. This (streak) is a bonus,” Pingrey said. “It’s a fantastic bonus.”
Many players have contributed to the streak but Pingrey specifically praised senior goalkeeper Madison Goverde (10 shutouts) and senior defender Danielle Williams. Carly McBride (another senior), sophomore Hailey Garrity and freshman Malloy Leahy have also made key defensive contributions, Pingrey said.
Marysville-Pilchuck coach Geoff Kittle, whose team lost by scores of 1-0 and 5-0 this month against Snohomish, said it all starts with Goverde, the keeper. But “I think it has to do with more than just defense,” Kittle said. “You have to be able to possess the ball pretty well and attack.”
Much of Snohomish’s midfield dominance stems from forwards Lacee Ross, a senior, and freshman Brooke Gilbert, Pingrey said.
The Panthers have made 17 state tournament appearances since 1984 and won it all twice: 1984 and 1997. Pingrey said the 2007 squad has a realistic chance to hoist the program’s third state championship trophy, regardless of what happens with the scoreless streak.
“If we do get scored on, it’s not something that’s going to crush the season,” Pingrey said. “We’re a good team.”
It’s difficult to argue with Pingrey, but Snohomish apparently hasn’t impressed some people. The Panthers have not yet been ranked this fall in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas regional and national polls.
In the current Region IV poll, released Tuesday, three Washington teams — No. 3 Eastlake, No. 5 Issaquah and West Valley of Yakima (tied for 10th) — made the top 10, but not Snohomish.
“I’m kind of surprised,” said Pingrey.
But if the Panthers continue to shut down their foes, sooner or later they will be impossible to ignore.
Contact Herald Writer Mike Cane at mcane@heraldnet.com. Read his blog at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam.
