Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua jumps in the air after scoring with teammate Cora Jones during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
LAKE STEVENS — Entering this season, the Lake Stevens High School girls soccer team qualified for the state tournament nine times since 2000 and only placed once, which was fourth in 2005. The Vikings’ last state game was in 2019 against Union, which they lost 1-0 in the first round.
But after placing third in the District 1/2 4A tournament last week, marking Lake Stevens’ (16-1-2 overall) 10th program state berth, the Vikings shut out ninth-seeded Richland 2-0 on Wednesday in a Class 4A first-round game to schedule their fourth quarterfinals match in team history.
Lake Stevens sophomore forward Noelani Tupua netted two goals, one with each foot and one per half, to help slot her team into the Round of 8. Junior goalkeeper Tessa Anastasi also recorded the team’s 11th shutout this season.
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua is grabbed by Richland’s Makenzie Christian as she tries to get a shot off during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
“I’m still waiting for our team to play to what I think is full potential,” Vikings coach Sam Ford said. “We do have a couple of playmakers. We do have a good keeper. But ultimately, we’ve got an older group of girls — bunch of seniors — who if they play controlled soccer and don’t get knocked off their game, then they’re successful.
“Richland was a team that puts a lot of pressure on you. The tendency when you play a team like that is to start playing kickball or whatever with them,” he continued. “But my encouragement to the girls was, ‘Whoever wins, (the) possession game wins the game.’ And (we) did that better.”
Lake Stevens received kickoff, and in the first minute, Tupua placed a left-footed strike into the bottom right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes into the start of the second half, Tupua, from about 20 yards out, delivered a right-footed shot that tapped the left post on its way into the goal for the Vikings’ second and final score.
Lake Stevens players cheer before the start of the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
“It feels really good,” said Tupua about scoring two goals as a sophomore in a state contest. “Last year we got knocked out in districts, so just to come here again and win at home too, it feels amazing.”
Lake Stevens also had chances to tally more numbers on the scoreboard throughout the game if they could’ve converted from several set pieces and multiple shots on goal that were stopped by Richland junior goalkeeper Makenzie Christian.
Nonetheless, the Vikings will battle top-seeded Skyline Saturday in a quarterfinal, loser-out game. Skyline topped Lake Stevens 2-1 in the district semifinals last week before going on to beat No.1-seed Woodinville 2-1 for the title. The Vikings also got out to a one-goal lead against Skyline before being defeated, so Ford and his squad will seek revenge.
“We’re trying to get better every game, and we’re hoping to face Skyline again,” Ford said. “I still think we didn’t play a complete game with them. They’re a solid team, but we want a chance at the two-time defending state champ. And if you’re going to be the best, you got to beat the best. … There’s still a lot of soccer to play. My goal for them is when they play hard, play smart and play together, they’ll be successful. … These girls really enjoy each other. And teams that actually enjoy playing with one another go far.”
Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua takes a shot on goal during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Cora Jones has her arm pulled while dribbling the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Olivia Fast dribbles the ball down the open field during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens players put their arms around each other in the huddle before the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua and Richland’s Makenzie Christian both run at the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Olivia Fast cuts off a pass during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua scrambles after the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua leaps in the air to head the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua flicks the ball on with her head to get around a Richland player during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua looks to see if there is a Richland player behind her during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens players cheer before the start of the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Natalia Adamik half volley kicks the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua crosses the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Shelby Clifton tries to get to the ball before Richland’s Makenzie Christian during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua yells in celebration after scoring during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua flicks the ball up to get around a Richland player during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Shelby Clifton dribbles towards the goal during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Keira Isabelle Tupua is grabbed by Richland’s Makenzie Christian as she tries to get a shot off during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Noelani Tupua runs after the ball during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Cora Jones is pushed off the ball while dribbling during the 4A state playoff game against Richland on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Mia Ingram leaps in the air with teammate Lake Stevens’ Amira Yaser in celebration after beating Richland in the 4A state playoff game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Richland players get emotional after losing to Lake Stevens in the 4A state playoff game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Grizzlies win three straight sets to complete a comeback against their league foes on Tuesday.
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