By Chris Trujillo
Herald Writer
EDMONDS-A second championship season would fit nicely atop of Edmonds Community College women’s soccer coach Teddy Mitalas’ already distinguished resume.
After all, there’s no such thing as an overdressed list of accomplishments when you’re trying to climb the career ladder.
The second-year EdCC coach, who led his Tritons to a NWAAC championship in just his first year as a junior college coach last season, has an opportunity to bring back-to-back championship titles to EdCC and fatten up his list of coaching accolades.
Mitalas, who is anything but shy when it comes to talking about his interest for the opening coaching job at Western University next season, has led his team to a familiar position in the Northeast Division. The Tritons, who trail Walla Walla by three points (one game) for first place, were situated in the exact same spot this time last year.
With just two games remaining in the regular season, the Tritons, with a little help from Walla Walla, can clinch the division championship and the No. 1 seed by defeating Wenatchee Valley (5-6-1) Wednesday and the winless Everett Trojans (0-15-0) next week.
Edmonds can retain its division championship status with a Walla Walla loss to third-place North Idaho in its season finale Wednesday.
If Edmonds and Walla Walla both win, they would both be tied for first place and the No. 1 seed.
“I am not sure how this will work because we split our games during the season,” Mitalas said. “I am pretty sure they won’t have us meet somewhere to determine the division and the No. 1 seed. They will probably use the number of goals to determine it.”
In that case, Walla Walla would take both the division and No.1 seed due to its large 65-33 advantage over Edmonds.
Claiming a second division championship might just mean more for Mitalas than it would for the team’s playoff scenario.
“These next couple of games if we win, would be very important,” Mitalas said. “Not just for the team, but for my resume. I am trying to get on at a four-year school. From a team point of view, it’s not too big of a deal because both No. 1 and No. 2 seeds get home field advantage. We just want home field advantage.”
Regardless of the team’s championship pursuits, Mitalas has already authored an impressive, resume.
Mitalas, a Franklin (Seattle) High School graduate, brings an offensive mind-set to any team he coaches, which can be traced back to his playing days.
In 1979, he was drafted by the Seattle Sounders where he played midfield for a year before making the U.S. Olympic team, which, was eventually boycotted by the United States. Mitalas went on to play professionally in Greece for a year from 1983 to 1984, where he made somewhere between $30,000-$40,000.
“This game is not about the money,” he said. “You have to love this game, and that is what I tell my players. I had a heck of a time in Greece. Life was good.”
Mitalas returned to the states and played two more years in Seattle and Tacoma and then took to the sidelines where he coached at Shorecrest High School. During his 10-year tenure, he led the Scots to three state championships and nine league championships.
“I always tell my girls to just have fun,” Mitalas said. “I think that is why I have been so successful as a coach.”
Home field race: With two games remaining (3 points for a victory, 1 point for a tie), the No.1 and No.2 seeds are still up for grabs in the Northeast men’s soccer division.
Edmonds Community College (35) is chasing first-place North Idaho (40 points) for the No. 1 seed, while Bellevue CC (32) is hunting down a possible No. 2 seed.
North Idaho can wrap up a No. 1 berth by winning at least one of its remaining two games. EdCC will own the No. 2 seed by defeating Wenatchee (22) on Wednesday and Everett (0) on Saturday.
The top two seeds are guaranteed a first round bye and home field advantage.
Wide open spaces: Six of the seven teams in volleyball’s North division are still alive for a playoff berth.
Despite their sub-500 record, the Edmonds Tritons (4-6) are in a three-way tie with Skagit Valley and Olympic for fourth place. However, the third-place team, currently Bellevue (6-4), and the previously mentioned three teams will all play in a mini-playoff to determine the final four playoff slots.
EdCC finishes the regular season against Olympic Wednesday at home and Skagit Valley on Nov. 5.
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