Two things are certain as the Stanwood girls soccer team prepares to play in the Class 4A state semifinals today.
One, the Spartans have gone where no Stanwood team has gone before.
Two, the Spartans aren’t satisfied.
Stanwood is in the state playoffs for just the second time. The Spartans lost in the quarterfinals to Monroe in 1996.
The Spartans (15-1-4) play Greater Spokane League co-champion Mead at 8 p.m. at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood. Woodinville plays Eastlake in the other semifinal.
The Spartans are led by four seniors who played on a four-win team in their freshman year. Lauren Hansen, Michelle Aikens, Kene Vanderpool and Kelsey Cline have helped develop the team into a close-knit family.
“They all have been starters since their freshman year and they all are leaders in different ways,” Stanwood coach Lori Stunz said. “They have created a little family and friendships that they will keep their entire lives.”
The Spartans won a District 1 championship, a Western Conference North divisional title and two state playoff games, defeating perennial soccer powers Lake Washington and Gig Harbor.
“I am really pleased with the girls and I knew they had it them in,” Stunz said. “They have learned how to win.”
“We knew coming in that this was going to be the year,” Hansen said. “We all support one another.”
Hansen scored a school-record 23 goals this season and her 53 career goals are the most in school history.
Hansen, who has verbally committed to Utah State, Cline, Jarae Kelly and standout junior goalkeeper Sarahann Jackson were Wesco North first-team selections.
Jackson allowed nine goals and has 13 shutouts in 20 games, playing behind a solid back line of Kelly, Kelsey Harms, Monique Thees and Ashley Kirkman.
“They play well, they play with confidence and they know they have confidence in the fact that Sarah (Jackson) is going to make the saves if they make a mistake,” Stunz said.
Mead (15-2-2) is making its 19th appearance in the state soccer tournament and its 10th trip to the semifinals. Mead’s last tournament appearance was a quarterfinal loss in 2002.
Mead has won both of its state tournament playoff games in a shootout. The Panthers knocked off previously undefeated Richland to advance to the semifinal meeting with the Spartans. Mead is coached by Jason Johnson, a 1995 graduate of Marysville-Pilchuck High School.
Junior midfielder Marissa Mykines leads Mead in goals and Jaimey Etten leads the Panthers in assists.
“We are pretty physical and we use our team speed,” Johnson said.
Class 2A
Amanda Johnson, who has scored a team-high 39 goals, leads Cedarcrest against Cheney (17-3-1) at noon. Cedarcrest (21-0-0) has looked like an unstoppable force all season. The Red Wolves have scored nine goals and held their opponent scoreless in their first two tournament games. Cedarcrest placed third in the Class 3A tournament last year. Cheney was also a 3A team last season.
Archbishop Murphy (18-3-0) faces a tough task. The Wildcats play last year’s Class 2A state champion, Eatonville, at 10 a.m. The Wildcats have a pair of 1-0 victories in their first two state playoff games. The Wildcats placed second and third in the past two state tournaments. Should Archbishop Murphy and Cedarcrest advance to the championship game, it would set up their third meeting of the season.
Class 1A
The King’s program is in its first year of existence and can finish no worse than fourth. The Knights, who finished third in the Cascade Conference, play Seattle Christian at 4 p.m. at Curtis High School in Tacoma.
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