Eastlake, Issaquah soccer keep KingCo playoff race tight
October 20, 2009
By Christopher Huber
By Christopher Huber
Coming into its Oct. 13 match against Eastlake, the Issaquah Lady Eagles soccer team was reeling from a loss to district rival Skyline. The loss was the team’s first in KingCo 4A and it knocked Issaquah into second place with five games remaining.
So, when it came time to face another tough team from the plateau, the Eagles were focused. They knew they had to out hustle the Lady Wolves on both sides of the ball and take advantage of any scoring opportunity they got.
They did just that.
“When they got their chances they put them away,” said Eastlake captain Courtney Pixler.
Issaquah forward Kristin Maris scored all four goals in the Eagles’ 4-0 win over Eastlake.
“The game proved to be a test of wills. In the end, they prevailed,” said Eastlake head coach Chuck Krieble. “I tip my hat to her (Maris). We knew we had to mark her, but just couldn’t get to her in time.”
The win put Issaquah back in first, tied with Skyline and Eastlake’s loss brought it to third place in league play.
“It was a huge win for us coming off of a loss to Skyline,” Maris said. “It was important we came back and played well.”
The key to the game, Maris and Issaquah head coach Tom Bunnell said, was to contain Eastlake’s speedy players up front in Allie Beahan, Kelly Morro and Candice Osei-Agyemang.
“It was a matter of us shoring up our defensive responsibilities,” Bunnell said.
The second half was “physical across the board,” Bunnell said. Issaquah struck in the third minute of the half when Maris punched in a 20-yard Audrey Thomas loft kick.
Leading 2-0 in the 50th minute, Maris took advantage of another opportunity. This time Abby Glasgow posted the ball up on a free kick from 30 yards out. Maris, in perfect position near the left goalpost, headed it in right past Eastlake goalkeeper Bryce Kennedy.
The goal seemed to be a testament to Issaquah’s intent to be the best team in the air this season.
“We really like to be the best team in the air, and we focus on winning every ball in the air,” Maris said.
The Wolves offense posed a threat early on, penetrating the Issaquah defense and creating a few scoring opportunities, but Issaquah held tight.
The Eagles adjusted in the physical, back-and-forth match and managed to score on a Maris penalty kick before the halftime break. She put the game away with another penalty kick score late in the second half.
Krieble said he was impressed with Issaquah’s front attack, especially junior forward Margaret Rouch’s ability to control the ball and hold off Eastlake defenders.
“We couldn’t catch up at the end,” Krieble said. “(But) the score doesn’t reflect the effort.”
Eastlake stayed alive in the playoff hunt after beating Woodinville 3-2 Oct. 15. Osei-Agyemang scored in the 40th and 52nd minutes and Jaclyn Softli broke the 2-2 tie in the 68th minute. The win put Eastlake at 6-2-0 in KingCo competition, in third behind Skyline and Issaquah, which are tied for first at 7-1-0 each.
Issaquah beat Ballard 3-0 Oct. 15.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Coming into its Oct. 13 match against Eastlake, the Issaquah Lady Eagles soccer team was reeling from a loss to district rival Skyline. The loss was the team’s first in KingCo 4A and it knocked Issaquah into second place with five games remaining.
So, when it came time to face another tough team from the plateau, the Eagles were focused. They knew they had to out hustle the Lady Wolves on both sides of the ball and take advantage of any scoring opportunity they got.
They did just that.
“When they got their chances they put them away,” said Eastlake captain Courtney Pixler.
Issaquah forward Kristin Maris scored all four goals in the Eagles’ 4-0 win over Eastlake.
“The game proved to be a test of wills. In the end, they prevailed,” said Eastlake head coach Chuck Krieble. “I tip my hat to her (Maris). We knew we had to mark her, but just couldn’t get to her in time.”
The win put Issaquah back in first, tied with Skyline and Eastlake’s loss brought it to third place in league play.
“It was a huge win for us coming off of a loss to Skyline,” Maris said. “It was important we came back and played well.”
The key to the game, Maris and Issaquah head coach Tom Bunnell said, was to contain Eastlake’s speedy players up front in Allie Beahan, Kelly Morro and Candice Osei-Agyemang.
“It was a matter of us shoring up our defensive responsibilities,” Bunnell said.
The second half was “physical across the board,” Bunnell said. Issaquah struck in the third minute of the half when Maris punched in a 20-yard Audrey Thomas loft kick.
Leading 2-0 in the 50th minute, Maris took advantage of another opportunity. This time Abby Glasgow posted the ball up on a free kick from 30 yards out. Maris, in perfect position near the left goalpost, headed it in right past Eastlake goalkeeper Bryce Kennedy.
The goal seemed to be a testament to Issaquah’s intent to be the best team in the air this season.
“We really like to be the best team in the air, and we focus on winning every ball in the air,” Maris said.
The Wolves offense posed a threat early on, penetrating the Issaquah defense and creating a few scoring opportunities, but Issaquah held tight.
The Eagles adjusted in the physical, back-and-forth match and managed to score on a Maris penalty kick before the halftime break. She put the game away with another penalty kick score late in the second half.
Krieble said he was impressed with Issaquah’s front attack, especially junior forward Margaret Rouch’s ability to control the ball and hold off Eastlake defenders.
“We couldn’t catch up at the end,” Krieble said. “(But) the score doesn’t reflect the effort.”
Eastlake stayed alive in the playoff hunt after beating Woodinville 3-2 Oct. 15. Osei-Agyemang scored in the 40th and 52nd minutes and Jaclyn Softli broke the 2-2 tie in the 68th minute. The win put Eastlake at 6-2-0 in KingCo competition, in third behind Skyline and Issaquah, which are tied for first at 7-1-0 each.
Issaquah beat Ballard 3-0 Oct. 15.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com.
Other Stories of Interest: Eastlake Soccer
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