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Back row L-R: Mady Finseth, McKenzie Clark, Lilly Burris, Maddie Strasser, Kayla Burke, Ella Glynn, Sky Helstad, Avery Hogle, Harper Dixon, Caroline McFarlane, Ruby Walton
Front row L-R: Hermela Tekeste, Mika Trotter, McKenna Anderson, Isa Leitner, Maily Fly, Rilan Fly, Clare Suzuki, Emi Barron, Sienna Lorentz
Not Pictured: Varsity Coach Shaun Warner, Asst Coach Travis Bear, JV Coach Daniel Guido, Chris Guardiamo, Mila Mirapolskaya, Hadley Heerschap, Leila Vachranukunkiet, Morgan McNeil, Kaylee Park |
The weather was cool but clear, not a raindrop in sight. Due to their Halloween loss last Saturday, the Shorewood Stormrays have landed in the elimination playoff bracket, to yet earn a spot in the State tournament.
Facing them were the familiar Meadowdale Mavericks, which evenly split the regular Wesco South matches with a win each. The Mavericks emerged in a 4-3-3 balanced formation, whereas the Rays were in their familiar 3-4-3 setup.
As expected, both teams started cautiously, in this win-or-out match, with defenses disciplined and stout, pushing back the ball to safety. Rays had slightly the better of tackling and ball control, but Mavericks were not opposed to shoulder charges, sharp elbows, and physical play, which on this night was only lightly enforced.
The 0-0 deadlock continued until late in the first half, where following a series of slick passing in the midfield, #3 found herself in the box at top left, and unleashed a powerful shot onto the underside of the bar, and bounces in, 1-0.
Now, Meadowdale had to push harder, and in response to Shorewood’s high back line and midfield press, they resorted to long balls forward, bypassing the defensive line. This caught the Rays by surprise a few times, with dangerous one-on-one breakaways, that goalkeeper #0 adroitly advanced and snuffed out, sometimes by inches.
In the remaining time, Rays adjusted and managed to hold out until halftime, clinging on to a slender 1-0 lead. Knowing that a one-goal lead was tenuous, Shorewood came charging out with intensity. The Rays, off last Thursday’s struggles, eschewed a slow, methodical buildup, instead moved quickly down the wings, got behind the back line and allowed the strikers some space.
On one such foray, #5 blazed down the right wing, found an opening on the top right outside the box. She noticed the keeper covering the near post, and instead of trying to move closer, let fly a long-range rocket into the far side netting, 2-0.
With a two-goal lead, Shorewood closed ranks in the back three and midfield, content to defend in numbers and allow their counterattacking trident to pose an offensive threat. With still another quarter to go, the Mavericks now responded with greater urgency, as a single goal would tilt the balance towards a possible equalizer.
In the latter stages, Rays turned the tables on the Mavericks, with an arcing breakaway on the left wing, reaching the speedy winger. With a deft touch, she blocked out the desperately chasing fullback, and advanced inside the box, one-on-one with the keeper who spread out to impede, but #2 smartly curved it around the flailing fingertips of the goalie into the bottom right corner of the goal, for the coup de grace, 3-0.
You could feel the exhale of relief from the Rays bench and crowd, that the match was effectively over, and it would be the Mavericks that would be eliminated. The final whistle blows, and there is muted celebration, as it was a nervy contest, leading to another elimination match in two days.
In the semifinals, Stanwood defeated Edmonds-Woodway, 2-0, and our Tartan friends, the Scots, edged Snohomish, 1-0. Shorewood will move on to face familiar Wesco South foes Edmonds Woodway Warriors at home, on Thursday 11/5 in the next elimination playoff.
In the other elimination playoff bracket, Ferndale thumped Monroe 4-0, and will move on to face Snohomish in the other next elimination playoff. The elimination playoff winners will both go to State in 3rd/4th place, and the elimination playoff losers play one final match to compete for the 5th and final place for State.
Appropriately, the Wesco South champions, Shorecrest, will meet the Wesco North champions, Stanwood, in the District 1 3A tournament final, both qualify for State, win or lose. With qualification assured, the final should be buoyant and carefree, whereas the lucky loser matches will have more exigency and angst as it’s win or go home.
All elimination and finals matches will take place at Shoreline Stadium on Thursday 11/5, and Saturday 11/7, respectively. So this is your chance to still go witness the exuberance of youth and the purity of sports.
--TCA
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