Skyline girls soccer takes first state title
November 25, 2008
By Christopher Huber
Skyline’s Kiara Williams takes the ball past Woodinville defender Adrienne Biddle Nov. 22. Photo by Chirstopher Huber
Skyline’s game plan was to be the aggressor — “make them come to us” — as head coach Don Braman put it before the game Nov. 22.
Woodinville had yet to claim victory over the Lady Spartans in 2008. In fact, the Falcons had fallen to Skyline 2-1 in the KingCo Championship game Nov. 4. and were hoping to win one when it counted.
In the first all-KingCo 4A state girls soccer title match-up, the Spartans executed their game plan and came out on top against the Falcons. For the first time, Skyline is the 2008 Washington state Class 4A champion after defeating Woodinville 2-0 at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
“Tonight the girls were up to the challenge,” Braman said after the game.
Skyline spent the crisp, but dry night beating Woodinville to the ball and putting pressure on its defense often. Both teams came out strong, with the Falcons pressing early, but to no avail.
Once Skyline found its groove, there was no stopping Kiara Williams and Shea O’Donnell from sprinting past Falcon defenders up the left and right sides of the field.
After numerous near-goals on Woodinville goaltender Leslie Greer, Skyline’s first goal came off the foot of Alisha Connors.
O’Donnell took the ball from mid-field, rolled past a defender, drove up the right side and fired a pass to an unmarked Connors in the middle of the box 10 yards out. Connors tapped the shot into the left post in the 36th minute.
“How about that first goal. It was just really clutch,” Braman said.
O’Donnell spent much of the season fighting for playing time after recovering from a pre-season injury.
“Shea’s been a great example of how we continue to improve each week,” Braman said of her standout play in the state title game.
Skyline led 1-0 at halftime in a game that was increasingly physical until the very end.
“We had a nice halftime talk and we knew we needed to pick it up if we wanted to keep the lead,” said junior midfielder Coral Anderson.
Throughout the second half, Woodinville committed penalties that gave Skyline ample opportunity to score. In a back-and-forth battle, the teams traded shoves and pushed the envelope when attacking the ball.
“They were getting frustrated and we just kept composed,” Anderson said. “And I think that was a big key, because if we freaked out or anything, then it wouldn’t have worked very well.”
A few minor injuries interrupted the game flow, but Skyline carried the one-goal lead well into the second half. The Skyline front line offense was quicker and tougher when in possession.
The insurance goal came in the 58th minute after a Michelle Bretl corner kick. Connors took the rebound and managed to feed the ball to Anderson, who lined it to the right post past Greer from about 8 yards out.
“We knew we needed to pick it up and 1-0 isn’t a very good lead,” Anderson said of her goal. “I think the physicalness really fueled us even more and made us get after it. And we wanted to play smart and just put them away.”
The 2-0 lead ensured Skyline some breathing room and let the girls focus on defense to close out the game.
Spartan goalkeeper Jill Stika almost let one past late in the half, but ultimately had four saves on the night.
“We really preach that defense wins championships, and tonight was evidence of that,” Braman said. “The girls are really awesome about recognizing the opportunity and then following through.”
Skyline finished the season with a record of 15-2-2, while Woodinville finished 14-4-1.
“We believe that we play in one of the toughest leagues in the state, and when you look at the reality that the 3A champion and the 4A champion last year were in our league, and yet we managed to sneak our way into the KingCo championship, and then to get all the way here tonight and win this, it’s a really great compliment to the difficult coaches and teams that we have in our league,” Braman said about the competitive road to state. “What really made the difference for us this year was that the girls learned to play for each other and with each other and to collaborate and to be creative.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or at chuber@isspress.com.
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