Eastlake soccer in top form as playoffs begin
November 11, 2008
By Christopher Huber
Eastlake’s Emily Hurd goes up for a header against a Heritage defender Saturday in the Wolves’ 3-0 win. Photo by Christopher Huber
After three days of rain over Sammamish, the clouds lifted just long enough Saturday for the Eastlake girls’ soccer team to show the visiting Heritage Timberwolves why it won state last year.
Intensity. Speed. Efficient combination play.
The Lady Wolves completely dominated Heritage, of Vancouver, 3-0 in a playoff game that decided who would go to the state tournament starting Nov. 11.
“It was probably the worst game of the year for us,” said Heritage coach Angie Michaelis. “We just didn’t show up. It’s a hard way to end.”
From start to finish, Eastlake controlled the tempo of the game and put the pressure on the Heritage defense. An early goal took the pressure off the Lady Wolves and let them sink into a groove on the Heritage side of the field.
Though it lacked a couple key starters earlier in the season due to injury, the Eastlake squad was healthy and prepared for the Timberwolves Saturday. They had a scouting report and knew what to expect from Heritage, said Eastlake coach Chuck Kreible.
“They left Emily (Hurd) alone with one marker and that hasn’t been good for anyone,” Kreible said after the game. Hurd scored two of Eastlake’s three goals and threatened from the left side all day against the porous Heritage defense.
Eastlake spent most of the first half near the Heritage goal. The Timberwolves forced Hurd outside often but Eastlake still managed to get three legitimate shots on goal in the first six minutes.
The first Eastlake goal came off the foot of Emma Levy. It was her 13th of the season and came just three minutes into the game.
Hurd spent most of the day sprinting up the sideline and feeding the ball to Levy or Mackenzie Garrett.
If it weren’t for Heritage goalkeeper Natalie Harold’s flypaper hands and quick reflexes in the box, Eastlake may have run away with twice as many goals.
“We connected well today,” Hurd said as she exited the field. “We came out with a lot of intensity. Today was our day.”
Hurd’s work paid off in the 36th minute when she caught Harold off guard at the left goal post. Hurd fired from about 10 yards out in the middle of the box and slipped it past a diving Harold to put Eastlake up 2-0.
Eastlake used touch-and-go passing to frazzle the Heritage defense and keep the ball constantly moving. One player never had the ball for more than a few seconds.
However, Kreible credited Lindsay Elston and Kelly Morro for creating many of the dangerous situations for the Heritage defense.
Eastlake led 2-0 at the half and proceeded to woo the crowd with a few spectacular near-goals in the second half. But the final goal didn’t come until the 63rd minute. Hurd scored her 19th goal of the season when she took a throw in, beat two defenders and popped the ball past Harold into the net.
The only time Heritage came reasonably close to scoring on Eastlake’s Shelby Nilsen was on a free kick from Heritage’s Amber Myers late in the second half. Nilsen bobbled the ball but had no problem hauling in the save.
The Timberwolves finished its season 6-5-7 as the top-ranked team in the Greater St. Helens League. Eastlake improved to 15-2 overall and advanced to the state tournament to vie for another state 4A title. It will play Bellarmine Prep Wednesday in the round of 16.
“As we get closer, the girls are big-game players and understand what’s on the line,” Kreible said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or at chuber@isspress.com.
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