Athletes of the Week

The junior forward scored both of the Wildcats’ goals Saturday to lead Archbishop Murphy to its first Class A/B state soccer championship.

Danford scored both goals on headers off assists from Alex Ferris in a 2-1 victory over Charles Wright.

“To score two in one night,” Danford said, “especially in the state championship game, that’s insane.”

His first goal came just moments after Charles Wright took a 1-0 lead in the first half. The winning score came with 12 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the contest.

Other top boys soccer performers: Alex Ferris, Archbishop Murphy; Alex Ungs, Archbishop Murphy; .

The sophomore sweeper directed the Falcons’ defense to a pair of shutouts in South Whidbey’s second-place finish in the Class 2A state tournament.

Prior to the decisive shootout in Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Connell in the state championship game, Jones and fellow defenders Taryn Langlois, Natalie Schmitt and Lena Ishii and goalkeeper Allyson Riggs had played 170 minutes without allowing a goal.

“I’m basically a traffic director,” Jones said. “I just try to keep everyone in line and get to the easy balls when I can.”

Under Jones’ watch, Eatonville managed just seven shots in South Whidbey’s 2-0 semifinal victory on Friday. The Falcons allowed just six shots to Connell.

Other top girls soccer performers: Kat Taylor, Archbishop Murphy; Katie Watson, South Whidbey; Lena Ishii, South Whidbey; Claudia Gil-Osorio, South Whidbey.

Football player of the week: Kyle Wilkins, Archbishop Murphy

Other top football performers: Stan Smith, Archbishop Murphy; Jevon Butler, Archbishop Murphy; Tony Gardiner, Bothell.

Aaron Coe, Herald Writer

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