By DAN SARGENT
Herald Writer
MOUNT VERNON – The Meadowdale Mavericks knocked of the Squalicum Storm 1-0 in the Northwest District 3A girls soccer playoffs Tuesday night and secured a state playoff berth.
Meadowdale scored when freshman Jaime Westby crossed the ball from the left side to senior Karly Larsen in the center, who headed the ball into the back left corner of the net in the 31st minute.
The Mavericks had another scoring chance early as sophomore Kristina Hughes bounced a shot off the post in the sixth minute from 25 yards out.
Most of the match was a control game, each team getting chances that were denied by good defensive play.
“Our defense held tough the whole game,” Mavericks coach Michael Bartley said.
The Mavericks defense denied the Storm’s forwards the ball and frustrated them all game long. Goalkeeper Allie Wirtala posted her second shutout of the tournament.
“She does really great for us back there,” Larsen said.
“We have a young team, but the seniors did all the little things to lead us tonight,” Bartley said
After the game, the Mavericks celebrated their Halloween night victory and state berth tournament berth by bringing out candy and staging a team trick-or-treat on the sidelines.
“It’s worth it,” freshman Westby said of the victory which forced them to miss out the festivities of Halloween.
The Mavericks will play on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School against their Western Conference 3A nemesis, the Lake Stevens Vikings, to determine first and second going into the state playoffs.
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