SHORELINE – Playing its third loser-out game in four days, the Snohomish High School girls soccer team was understandably worn down.
But thanks to a huge lift from three energetic freshmen and an outstanding goalkeeper, Snohomish overcame fatigue and soggy conditions to beat the Lake Stevens Vikings 3-1 Thursday night at Shoreline Stadium.
Sarah Guthrie, one of the stellar freshmen, scored a goal and junior goalkeeper Madison Goverde celebrated her birthday with several clutch saves to help propel Snohomish to victory in the winner-to-state, loser-out Class 4A District 1 game. Snohomish (11-5-3 overall) earned the district’s third and final 4A state-tournament berth. It’s the third straight year Snohomish prevailed in the third-place elimination contest.
“We played strong. I think we got stronger as the game went along,” said Snohomish coach Dan Pingrey, whose Panthers will travel to play the District 4 No. 1 early next week.
Guthrie, Ashley Tombelaine and Melanie Bjornethun scored goals for Snohomish, which eliminated Lake Stevens (13-5-1) by beating the Vikings for the third time in three tries this season.
“It’s hard to end the season … but they had a great year,” Lake Stevens coach Dianne Mattingly said. Last year the Vikings were district champs and placed fourth in their 4A state debut.
Lake Stevens dominated early in the first half and took a quick 1-0 lead, but Snohomish rallied for two goals in a 14-minute stretch late in the half and took a 2-1 lead to the break.
Alyssa Licht notched the lone goal for Lake Stevens. She scored 75 seconds into the game from close range on an assist from Kinslee Isaman.
After that, Snohomish Guthrie redirected a Lacee Ross free kick to tie it at 1-1 with 15 minutes remaining. Then, with a minute to go in the half, Tombelaine finished off a scramble from about 10 yards away to make it 2-1.
Bjornethun scored Snohomish’s third goal on a loose-ball opportunity in the 11th minute of the second half.
Snohomish’s Pingrey praised his keeper, Goverde, who jumped and dove to make several crucial stops, and complimented the play of Guthrie, Christine Westover and Malina Alvarado, the solid freshmen trio. The youngsters helped stifle a Lake Stevens offense fueled by star senior midfielders Raelynne Lee and Taylor Cochran.
“Our strength is defense,” said Pingrey, whose team had scored six goals in its previous six games.
Snohomish beat Lake Stevens twice during the regular season, most recently 3-2 in double overtime on Oct. 24. Snohomish also defeated Lake Stevens 2-1 on Sept. 26.
The Panthers will make their third straight state appearance and their eighth since 1997.
At Shoreline Stadium
Goals-Snohomish: Guthrie, Tombelaine, Bjornethun. Lake Stevens: Licht. Assists-Snohomish: Ross, Weakly. Lake Stevens: Isaman. Goalkeepers-Snohomish: Goverde. Lake Stevens: Three Stars. Records-Snohomish 11-5-3 overall. Lake Stevens 13-5-1.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
