Jessica Smith, an Edmonds-Woodway senior, has verbally committed to play soccer for the University of Wyoming.
The center-back defender was an All-Wesco South second team selection as a sophomore and received honorable mention in 2005. A hip injury has sidelined her for all but two games this season.
E-W coach Bill Le Compte said Smith, who committed to Wyoming on Sept. 25 and is not expected to play again this fall, is greatly missed on the field but still helps by sharing valuable soccer knowledge with teammates.
“Her ability to read the game and understand what’s going on on the field is above average,” Le Compte said of the three-year starter, who at times played center midfielder for the Warriors.
Smith’s knack for quickly grasping and reacting to a situation will continue to serve her well. “Her brain processes the field very well,” Le Compte said. “As she gets older, she could become a pretty successful coach because she sees the adjustments that need to be made.”
As a freshman, Smith scored the game-winning goal in E-W’s Class 4A District 1 championship victory over Oak Harbor. The triumph launched the Warriors to their first-ever state tournament appearance.
Smith likely won’t have any more on-field highlights for E-W – which is 6-6-1 in the Wesco South and battling for a 4A district tourney berth – but she can still make a difference.
Said Le Compte, “As frustrating as it may be for her to be on the bench (because of the injury), I’ve tried to help her see the positives she can contribute.”
Stohl picks Portland
Marysville-Pilchuck senior Jared Stohl, a 6-foot-2 guard, committed to play basketball for the University of Portland on Sunday night. Stohl, who averaged 21 points per game last season, took a recruiting visit to Portland State University over the weekend but ultimately preferred Portland, which competes in the West Coast Conference and plays against Gonzaga.
“The biggest thing for me is playing time,” Stohl said. “I think I’ll be able to fit into Portland’s program faster.”
Snohomish runners
skip Adidas event
The Snohomish girls cross country team was scheduled to compete Saturday at the Adidas Cross Country Classic in Portland but it dropped out to get some rest and prepare for key upcoming races, Snohomish coach Dan Parker said.
With just three meets to go (league, district and state), the Panthers – ranked No. 3 in the latest Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association Class 4A poll – hope for a strong finish. Senior Kara Sporrong is about 90-percent recovered from a stress fracture in her left leg and should be among the front-runners Saturday at the Wesco North championships in Lakewood, Parker said.
More XC rankings
Several other local teams made the Top 10 in the latest state cross country coaches poll.
* Boys: 4A-No. 6 Lake Stevens, No. 8 Snohomish; 2A-No. 6 Lakewood.
* Girls: 4A-No. 3 Snohomish; 2A-No. 4 South Whidbey, No. 8 Lakewood, No. 10 Granite Falls.
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