By Bob Mortenson
Herald Writer
Zzzzz. Just another stellar performance.
The Northwest Nationals Stellarz claimed the U18 girls state soccer championship with a thrilling 2-1 double-overtime victory over the Emerald City FC Sunday at Edmonds Stadium.
The Stellarz got the go-ahead goal in the 110th minute. Krista Graybill split two Emerald City defenders and delivered a perfect pass to Sara Morgan who scored to help the Stellarz to their second title in three years.
“Emerald City had a very good team and they deserved to be there too,” Stellarz coach Mike Koslosky said. “It was exciting, our girls were just stoked.”
The Stellarz, with a roster that features standout players from seven area high schools, stormed through the state cup field with five straight tournament victories, outscoring opponents 14-2. Emerald City FC was the defending state champion.
Despite dominating offensively, the Stellarz were held at bay by Emerald City goalie Allison Meyers for much of the contest.
“I’ve never seen anything like her,” Koslosky said of Meyers who will play next fall for New York University.
Jessica Shadle, one of at least three Stellarz players who will play for Portland State this fall, passed to forward Amy Carnell who kept the ball in the air and chipped it in for a 1-0 advantage in the 75th minute.
“It was a really sweet goal,” Koslosky said. Especially so because Carnell suffered a severe ankle injury last summer and was unable to play during the fall season when the short-handed Stellarz stumbled to a 7-5-2 record.
A last-minute shot to the upper corner by Emerald City’s Jordan Bishop sent the game into overtime.
The remainder of the Stellarz roster includes Christy Dettmer, Jessica Bathurst, Shannon Lovejoy, Megan Beden, Lexy deTurenne, Sara Gaz, Carly Sawhill, Jessie Corr, Lydia Ramsey, Tara Graybill, Theresa Hamilton and Kaitlyn Wurz.
“I’ve had this team for eight years,” Koslosky said. “It’s kind of neat to finish like this.”
Actually, they are not quite finished.
The Stellarz will represent Washington at the Farwest Regional Tournament June 24-29 in Salt Lake City.
Shamrocks and Fusion advance to finals: The GU-14 Northwest National Shamrocks downed the Lake Washington Arsenal 3-1 on Feb. 23 to advance to the 2002 Snickers Cup state final against the FC Royals this Sunday. The GU-13 Northwest National Fusion defeated the Federal Way Reign 3-0 on Feb. 23 and face the Highline Eagles for the state title on Saturday. Both games will be played at Edmonds Stadium.
Wrestling
King brothers lead medal parade: Marysville brothers George (85-pounds) and Andrew King (95), age 11 and 8, respectively, were among the USA Everett wrestlers earning individual titles at the Elma Freestyle tournament Feb. 23. Other titleists included Kai Bruno, 12 of Lynnwood (90), Kai VanLeuven (120), 13, Lake Stevens and Jimmy Lindenstein, 10, Lynnwood, at 120-plus.
Gymnastics
Leading Edge shines at Idaho meet: Erica Field and Lily Gaffney, both of Everett, tied for first place in the all-around as the Level Four squad took the top-six places in a field of 64 competitors to easily claim the team title at the Boise State University Invitational last weekend. Erica and Lily each posted personal best scores of 38.25. Level Five also claimed a team title led by Kaci Byers, 11 of Arlington, who took the all-around (37.775). Lauren Bath, 8, Everett, Olivia Gaffney, 9, Everett and Chelsey Solemsaas, 10, Lake Stevens also enjoyed all-around titles.
Cunningham leads Rising Stars: Competing in Level Six, Sarah Cunningham, 12 of Marysville, won every event en route to an all-around title at the “Think Spring,” meet at Yakima Feb. 23-24. Her teammate Corissa Ball, 12, Marysville was second. Other individual event winners included Kaitlyn Peterson, 8, Marysville (beam and floor); Brittany Rothrock, 10, Arlington (vault and bar); Kendra Sigurdson, 15, Marysville (bars) and Sarah Clark, 10, Marysville (beam).
Dance
Meadowdale tunes up for defense of state title: Competing against Class 4A and 3A schools, the Meadowdale High School Dance team took first place at the Interlake High School Invitational in Bellevue last Saturday. Meadowdale will seek a third consecutive Class 3A state title in Yakima on March 16.
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