SNOHOMISH — It was business as usual for the Snohomish Panthers girls soccer team Sarturday.
The Panthers did what they do best, putting on another dominating defensive performance in a 5-0 Wesco North win over Marysville-Pilchuck at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
As the Panthers enter the second half of the season, Snohomish (8-0-1 in league and overall) has yet to allow an opponent to score a goal, running its scoreless streak to nine straight games.
Asked if the Panther players are feeling the pressure of continuing such a remarkable streak, Snohomish head coach Dan Pingrey said, “We don’t even talk about it, but everyone is out there defending like crazy.”
Unlike the last meeting between the two teams, a 1-0 season-opening victory for the Panthers, Snohomish wasted no time in putting the game out of reach. Offensively the Panthers had their highest scoring output of the season. Lacee Ross and freshman Malloy Leahy scored two goals each. Ross and Ashley Tombelaine each added an assist.
Despite the five goals scored the focus was still on the defense. Senior Madison Goverde once again anchored the Panthers defense, recording her ninth shutout in goal.
“We’ve been mixing and matching. Carly (McBride) does phenomenal back there. Hailey (Garrity) is a sophomore, Malloy (Leahy) is a freshman. The thing that’s happening now is that it’s a good defensive effort across the board,” Pingrey said.
Pingrey said communication is also a factor in the team’s success on defense.
“One thing about this team we’re really pleased about is that they talk like crazy. If someone’s not marking up or doing they job, they take care of business out there.”
Marysville-Pilchuck head coach Geoff Kittle noted that the Panthers’ strength in their defense lies in their organization and communication.
“They are organized in the back, communicate well and win the balls in the air,” Kittle said about the Panthers defense.
Marysville-Pilchuck lost for the first game in its last six games. It had ties against Arlington and Oak Harbor in its last two contests.
“We’re not finishing teams off like we’re supposed to … we’re just in a little bit of funk right now but I think our girls are going to bounce back. I don’t think we can get any lower than we are (Saturday),” Kittle said.
At Veterans Memorial Stadium
Goals—Snohomish: Perron, Ross 2, Leahy 2. Assists–Snohomish: Tombelaine, Ross, Garrity. Goalkeepers—Marysville-Pilchuck: Peterson and Saunders. Snohomish: Goverde. Records—Marysville-Pilchuck 4-3-2 in league and overall. Snohomish 8-0-1, 8-0-1.
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