Prep girls soccer: Lakewood 1, Squalicum 0
Published 11:25 pm Thursday, November 3, 2011
SULTAN — Losing in the first round at state can leave a bitter taste in the mouths of many teams.
Time does nothing to wash it away. In fact, the knowledge that one must wait a full year to regain the opportunity at winning a state championship only exacerbates this poor aftertaste.
The Lakewood Cougars girls soccer squad knows this all too well after falling in the first round of the 2A state playoffs last season. So when the team nailed down its third consecutive state berth Thursday night after edging Squalicum 1-0 in the consolation final of the 2A district 1 tournament, the Cougars let out a collective sigh of relief in knowing that they had earned the opportunity to redeem themselves.
“We want to do better,” Lakewood head coach Jeremiah Wohlgemuth affirmed, noting the team’s early exit last year. “It’s been a goal of ours from the beginning of the season. We believe that we can win.”
Hailey Duitsman scored the game’s only goal in the 32nd minute off a throw-in assist by Taylor Studzinski assist. Duitsman gathered the ball approximately six yards out from the goal and sent a shot into the back of the net. Lakewood keeper Miranda Head led the defensive effort with six saves to earn the shutout. Both Duitsman and Studzinski played excellent games from their center-midfield spots according to Wohlgemuth.
The majority of the match was played in the middle of the field and neither team had many opportunities in the second half. A testament to the defense and ball control of the Cougars.
“I thought (Studzinski) and Hailey had really good games,” said Wohlgemuth. “They really controlled the middle of the field.”
After losing to Sehome in the semifinal match, Lakewood knew it had one last shot at achieving its primary goal at the beginning of the season. Now with that accomplished, the team is excited about the opportunity to redeem itself.
“We’re not really concerned with what seed we have going in, just focused on our goal and knowing that our best soccer is ahead of us,” added Wohlgemuth.
The 2A state playoffs commence Wednesday.
