SNOHOMISH – The Stanwood girls soccer team will be making its dream trip next weekend.
The Spartans captured a 2-0 state quarterfinal victory over Kingco 4A champion Lake Washington at Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday to advance to next Friday’s semifinals at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. Stanwood plays Mead, a 3-2 victor over Richland, at 8 p.m.
The Spartans achieved another one of their goals, set at the beginning of the season, earning the right to travel the 93 miles from Stanwood High School to the state tournament site.
“It has been our goal all year,” senior goalkeeper Sarahann Jackson said. “Ninety-three miles to state and we are going.”
“I am so proud of the girls,” Stanwood coach Lori Stunz said. “They have worked really hard all season.”
After 39 minutes of up-and-down the field soccer that looked like a track meet, the Spartans’ Kelsey Cline scored on a low-hit, 18-yard blast within a minute of the end of the half. Lauren Hansen crossed the ball from the left side to Heather Skeels, who passed it to the feet of Cline for the shot on goal.
Stanwood took the wind out of Lake Washington’s sails when Hansen scored two minutes into the second half. Skeels passed a ball to a running Hansen, who hit the ball past a diving Lake Washington keeper to give the Spartans a commanding lead.
Stunz said scoring two goals so close together, “gave my kids a little more confidence and probably took some from Lake Washington.”
“Mentally it is not the best thing to have happen,” Lake Washington coach Michael Duncan said.
Jackson had 12 saves despite nursing an injury and having a violent collision with a Lake Washington player in the 17th minute.
“Amazing like always,” Hansen said. “She comes out of nowhere to make some of the saves.”
“She was extremely focused and she reads the game so well,” Stunz said.
Jackson credited her back three defenders with helping her record her 13th shutout of the season.
The collision, she said, “made me focus harder and made me want it even more. The defense of Kelsey (Harms), Jerae (Kelly) and Ashley (Kirkman) was outstanding. We got it done back there.”
“We had our opportunities,” Duncan said. “Their keeper made some great plays for them.”
Lake Washington’s (12-4-1 overall) seniors dedicated their season to the memory of Daron Howley, who lost her courageous 19-month battle with brain cancer last December. Howley made the varsity team as freshman and would have been a four-year letterman for Lake Washington.
“It was something important to do.” said Duncan.
Duncan said the idea was put forward last season by Morgan Romans, who was Howley’s best friend.
“I heard about that and they were playing from the heart for her,” said Hansen, who plays with Romans on her club team.
At Snohomish Veterans Memorial Stadium
Goals-Stanwood: Hansen, Cline. Assists-Stanwood: Skeels 2. Goalkeepers-Lake Washington: B. Jackson. Stanwood: Jackson. Records-Lake Washington 12-4-1 overall. Stanwood 15-1-4.
Cedarcrest 4, Ridgefield 0: At Tumwater, everybody got to play as Cedarcrest remained undefeated beating Ridgefield in the 2A state quarterfinal game. Amanda Johnson led the Red Wolves with a goal late in the first half and an assist in the second. Cedarcrest will take on Cheney next on Friday at Lakewood in the semifinals at noon.
At Tumwater Stadium
Goals-Cedarcrest: Kearney, Johnson, Biggs, Chapman. Assists-Cedarcrest: Kevin, Johnson, Biggs. Goalkeepers-Cedarcrest: Butterfield. Ridgefield: Not reported. Records-Cedarcrest 21-0 overall. Ridgefield 5-8-1.
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