EVERETT — Enjoy the game!
The statement written on the Goddard Stadium locker room blackboard by Snohomish boys soccer coach Dan Pingrey at halftime of Wednesday’s Northwest District 4A title game was an entirely different message than the one Pingrey delivered last year.
His team led Shorewood by a goal at halftime of an eventual 2-0 victory that secured the Panthers a Class 4A state berth. They were dominant, but they were tight. He liked the effort he saw, unlike the previous two district championship games — both of which ended in losses to Edmonds-Woodway.
“This group has been a kick in the pants,” Pingrey said. “They’ve played some absolutely phenomenal soccer at times, and they are that good. But, you can’t believe the press. You’ve got to go out and prove it. It doesn’t mean squat if you don’t win.”
The Panthers dominated from start to finish, but developed some tightness when three shots hit the left post of Shorewood’s goal. A stingy defense that allowed only six Shorewood shots and two goals from junior forward Taylor Cochran, however, were enough to overcome some nerves and four missing starters.
Shorewood (10-4-3) will face Mariner at 7 p.m. tonight at Goddard Stadium for the final state berth.
Cochran said he liked this year’s halftime speech better than last year’s when Pingrey admits he “threw a few daggers.”
“Halftime was horrible (last year),” Cochran said. “He just went off on us, telling us to pick it up and using some words I can’t say. We definitely remembered that and had something to prove.”
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