The Issaquah girls soccer team devotes time to it every single practice. And, so far this season, the work’s paid off.
“At the end of all our practices we play a game called Bahia,” captain Kristin Maris said. “It works on crossing and finishing.”
Maris was the recipient of two perfect airborne passes on Tuesday night, both of which she headed in for goals. The senior forward also delivered a cross for an assist, as Issaquah defeated Woodinville 3-1 during the opening night of KingCo 4A play.
“It’s like our thing,” Eagle head coach Tom Bunnell said. “That’s some incredible number of goals that have been through the air, so it’s great.”
Maris, who played basketball up until her freshman year, proved in the 19th minute that she hasn’t lost her ability to jump high. Taking a 35-yard penalty kick from teammate Kelsey Ford, she soared above the Falcon defenders and headed the ball into the left corner of the goal.
Maris turned the tables in the 39th minute. Working her way down the left side of the penalty box, she crossed the ball in front of the net to senior Morgan Gierke, who headed the ball in for a score.
Issaquah carried a 2-0 lead to halftime, outshooting Woodinville 8-4.
The Eagles pushed their lead to three goals in the 53rd minute when Maris headed in a 40-yard penalty kick pass off the foot of junior Riley Foreman.
Woodinville, which outshot Issaquah 8-6 in the second half, finally got on the board in the 59th minute via a goal from Lily Wilson.
Issaquah junior goalkeeper Brooke Miller had five saves in the second half, including a couple of diving stops.
The win was significant for the Eagles, who improved to 1-0 in league and 4-1 overall. It was their only game against the Falcons, who finished as the state runner-up to Skyline last year.
“We used to play everybody twice … but now it’s like do or die, and knocking Woodinville off is huge,” Bunnell said.
Issaquah was coming off two important non-league victories at the Tualatin Showcase in Tualatin, Ore., over the weekend. The defeated Licoln of Portland, 1-0 on Friday night, and Tualatin 3-1 on Saturday, in a game Bunnell said was one of the best wins he’s ever had in his six years at the helm.
“Everybody stepped up,” he said. “It was awesome, great preparation for the season.”
Skyline downs Bothell
Defending 4A state champion Skyline started league play off Tuesday night with a 2-1 victory over Bothell. The Spartans struck first in the 25th minute when Emily Anderson scored off an assist from Maddie Christ. Bothell knotted the score in the 70th minute on an unassisted goal from Devon Eckberg. Skyline managed to avoid a tie, however, when Anna Morgan found Madi Barney in the 78th minute for the winning score. The Spartans, now 1-0 in league and 5-1 overall, split their games in Oregon at the Tualatin Showcase. Skyline fell 2-0 Friday to Westview of Beaverton, before bouncing back to beat Lincoln 3-0 on Saturday.
Eastlake shuts out Newport
Eastlake earned a win Tuesday in its first KingCo 4A contest of the season, beating Newport 1-0. The Wolves received their lone goal in the 45th minute when Candice Osei-Agyemang scored off an assist from Jaclyn Softli. Bryce Kennedy earned the shutout. Eastlake, which played shorthanded in the Tualatin Showcase, finished the tournament with two losses to Westview and Tualatin. The Wolves were 1-0 in league and 3-2-1 overall headed into Thursday’s game against Plateau rival Skyline.
Eastside Catholic remains perfect
Eastside Catholic improved to 1-0 in league and 5-0 overall Tuesday night, defeating Nathan Hale 4-0. The Crusaders received first-half goals from four different players, including Nikki Dworkin (2nd minute), Shelby Newell (7th minute), Morgan Petesch (22nd minute) and Kristin Standish (38th minute). Lauren Thomas had the shutout for Eastside.
