LANGLEY – Grace Itaya showed the South Whidbey girls soccer team that the loss of its leading scorer wouldn’t result in a lack of offense.
Itaya scored four goals to lead the Falcons to a 4-1 victory over Lakewood Monday night in a Cascade Conference matchup at South Whidbey High School.
“(Itaya) just nailed some shots,” Falcons coach Paul Arand said of his junior left forward’s performance against the Cougars. “Grace has carried the load.”
South Whidbey (6-5-0 in league, 8-5-0 overall) lost its leading scorer from last year, Karissa Thomas, a few weeks ago. Thomas, a first-team all-conference player last season as a freshman, suffered a knee injury while playing a soccer game for her club team.
“(Itaya’s) always been a solid scorer,” Arand said. “She’s just had to step up her effort to get it done (in the absence of Thomas).”
In addition to missing Thomas’ scoring, Arand noted her presence on the field helped the Falcons by drawing pressure away from other players, including Itaya.
“When you have strong players around you, it helps to take the double team off,” he said.
Itaya scored her first goal against Lakewood in the 30th minute on a penalty kick. She added another – the eventual game-winner – in the 42nd minute, dribbling the ball through the Cougars (4-7-0, 5-8-0) back line and hitting a shot into the back of the net.
Itaya added insurance goals in the 65th and 67th minutes to seal the win for South Whidbey.
At South Whidbey H.S.
Goals-Lakewood: not reported. South Whidbey: Itaya 4. Assists-South Whidbey: Sandri. Goalkeepers-Lakewood: not reported. South Whidbey: Cave. Records-Lakewood 4-7-0 in league, 5-8-0 overall. South Whibey 6-5-0, 8-5-0.
Boys soccer
Mount Vernon Christian 3, North Sound Christian 0: At Marysville, Joel Marriott had a goal and an assist for Mount Vernon Christian in the non-league contest.
At Cedarcrest Middle School
Goals-Mount Vernon Christian: Marriott, Van der Kooy, Collins. Assists-Mount Vernon Christian: Marriott. Goalkeepers-Mount Vernon Christian: not reported. North Sound Christian: not reported. Records-Mount Vernon Christian: 7-0-0 overall. North Sound Christian: 10-3-0.
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