The Edmonds Community College women’s soccer team has taken a big step under second-year head coach Jeanette Ward.
It just hasn’t been reflected in the results on the field so far. Edmonds has lost eight of its first nine games.
The Tritons struggled early on with eligibility issues and more recently with a slew of injuries.
“It’s been a tough start,” Ward said.
Six of the seven games have been against teams in the NWAACC East Division, which includes Walla Walla and Columbia Basin, two of the top teams in the league.
Edmonds defeated Skagit Valley 3-1 for its first win on Sept. 28. Kendahl Overturf (Meadowdale) Alison Grimm (Utica Learning Academy) and Jami Long (Jackson) scored goals.
The good news for Edmonds is the level of experience is significantly higher than a year ago when Ward fielded a team with several players who had no prior soccer experience before coming to Edmonds. This season all of the players have some type of experience, either high school, college or rec league.
The squad includes two older players, who bring not only skill but leadership to a still young squad.
Freshman midfielder Grimm, 24, relocated to the Northwest a couple of years ago. Ward knew Grimm as an active participant in the local soccer community.
“She’s an asset. The girls look up to her,” Ward said. “She’s a phenomenal player.”
Another older player who joined the team is Sarah Donahue, a 37-year-old defender.
Donahue, who has a 2-year-old daughter, is super fit and extremely coachable, Ward said.
Edmonds actually has plenty of experience, especially on defense with sophomore goalkeeper Monika Hantke, a Lynnwood graduate, and sophomore defender Danielle Miles, a Edmonds-Woodway graduate. Also back is sophomore defense Liz Tracy, a Bothell graduate.
“We are definitely focusing on defense,” Ward said.
Ward arrived on the scene late last year and didn’t have any time to do much recruiting. With a year under her belt, she was able to put together a roster of 20 players. Those numbers are lower due to a variety of factors. Currently, the Tritons have 15 players, 13 of whom are eligible.
“This is a building season,” Ward said. “We’re looking for growth, not only this year, but in years to come.”
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