MILL CREEK — The stars appear to be aligning for the Jackson girls soccer team.
Fresh off last week’s impressive state quarterfinal victory over Redmond, the Timberwolves are headed to Class 4A state semifinals for the first time in school history.
“This team is so excited,” said Jackson coach Michael Bartley. “They know that this is special and happens once in a lifetime. (That) is the way we’re trying to approach it. They’re all trying to approach it like they’re all seniors.”
Jackson faces Narrows League champion Bellarmine Prep at 6 p.m. tonight (Friday, Nov. 19) in a state semifinal game at Lakewood Stadium.
A victory would send the Wolfpack into Saturday’s championship game at 8 p.m. against either Stadium or Gonzaga Prep. The losers of the semifinals play at 2 p.m. tomorrow for third and fourth place.
“We’re ready,” said sophomore goalkeeper Dee Wood. “We’ve never been this far. We’re just trying to prepare mentally … we’re pretty confident because we know if we play our game we’ll do really well.”
Jackson earned its first-ever trip to the final four with its 2-0 quarterfinal victory over Redmond Nov. 13 at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Dani Oster and Kaley Mitchell each scored goals and Wood recorded her second shutout in a row and her ninth overall.
“Everybody just worked hard and we played really good defense,” Wood said.
The Jackson defense has stepped up its level of play in the state tournament, Bartley said. The Timberwolves (14-4-1) defeated a high-powered Gig Harbor team 1-0 in a first-round game two weeks ago.
“A big factor is Dee in the net,” Bartley said. “She’s been solid …. that combined with our offense that can get us a goal or two a game has been a big difference.”
Wood has always possessed solid defensive skills but it’s her attitude of late that has made all the difference.
“She’s just very confident right now and she’s playing that way,” Bartley said. “She plays aggressively instead of just backing off a little bit. I think she’s finally gotten used to being the starting goalie. It’s her first season.”
Bellarmine Prep (19-0-2) figures to be the Wolfpack’s toughest opponent of the season. The Lions’ roster includes many of the south end’s top select players.
The final four is nothing new to Bellarmine Prep, which finished second at state last year and is making its 10th appearance in the semifinals.
“They are very strong and very quick and send lots of crosses,” Bartley said. “They have a big striker who scores lots of goals and is very good in the air … our defense has to play extremely well.”
Bellarmine Prep, however, does have some inexperience (freshmen and sophomores) back in the defense.
“We think that’s where their weakness is,” Bartley said.
While the Lions present a number of challenges, Jackson is riding a wave of success that has both Bartley and his players believing that anything is possible.
“We’re surprised, but we knew we’d get here (state semifinals) if we worked hard,” Wood said.
The Wolfpack’s confidence is high because of the team’s back-to-back Western Conference 4A South Division titles, its first district championship and two state tournament wins.
“All of that has helped,” Bartley said. “The leadership is coming through. The older kids are starting to pull the team with them … I think they are playing the best soccer that they can play. They want to go win this thing.
“We needed to be peaking and playing at our potential and we are. So we’re in good shape.”
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