EVERETT – Different team, same story, hopefully a happier ending.
The Archbishop Murphy High School girls soccer team finds itself back in the state semifinals for the fifth straight year. The Wildcats (18-3-1) play East Valley of Yakima (21-1-0) at noon today in a Class 2A semifinal at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. The winner plays the winner of the Meridian-Eatonville game for the state title at 4 p.m. Saturday.
In its four previous appearances, Murphy placed third twice (2001, ‘02) and second twice (2003, ‘04).
“I just have had good teams,” Murphy coach Pat Jack said of the Wildcats’ deep runs into the state playoffs. “They are battle-tested from getting there year after year.”
Senior co-captain Lauren Bardin said strong chemistry also has contributed to the program’s success.
“We all have trusted each other,” Bardin said, “and we have had really good leadership and support from the community.”
Despite being a young team – there are just two seniors on the Murphy roster and four freshmen in the starting lineup – the Wildcats return 11 players with playoff experience.
“We have been fortunate with the skill of the young players coming in and the chemistry of the teams has been very good,” assistant coach Ricardo Rivera said. “They all have worked very hard to achieve their goals.”
Unlike recent years, the Wildcats come into today’s semifinal with a balanced scoring attack.
“Last year we had a really, really strong forward (Kat Taylor, who scored 143 career goals),” Rivera said. “This year it is more balanced scoring and more players have had to step up and they have responded.”
Co-captain Ashley Reinig, one of the three seniors, leads the Wildcats with 19 goals. She is followed by freshman Melissa VonderHofen with 13 and sophomore Emma Nelson with 12.
“Any of them can shoot, which gives us an advantage because (opponents) aren’t going to know where the shot is going to come from,” Jack said. “I think that it is better sometimes because they aren’t looking for that one player all the time.”
Perhaps even more impressive than Murphy’s offense has been the coming together of a young defense that has posted 10 shutouts.
“I think they have improved throughout the year as they got to know how each other plays,” Rivera said.
Freshman Kathleen Pedersen, sophomores Casey Gould and Aleigh Mansfield, and junior Caroline Robinson (an All-Cascade Conference first-team pick) play in front of first-team all-conference goalkeeper Lauren Jelinek, a junior.
“Lauren has been a star,” Rivera said. “She has really improved her game and stepped into a role you need to be solid in.”
Class 3A semifinals
Cedarcrest (19-1-1) plays Issaquah (18-1-0) at 3 p.m. today at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. The winner plays the winner of the Camas-Seattle Prep game for the state title at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Last year, Cedarcrest lost to eventual state champion Issaquah 1-0 in the Class 3A state quarterfinals.
Cedarcrest is led by All-Cascade Conference offensive MVP Jamie Coe and first-team all-conference midfielder Amanda Johnson, who have combined for 47 goals and 28 assists.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
