Coupeville Sports

Bundled up against the cold, the GU18 Whidbey Islanders prepare for action. (Kali Barrio photo)

Everyone knows their names now.

After shining at the PSPL Winter College Showcase Tournament Sunday, the young women on the GU18 Whidbey Islanders select soccer team are now on the radar of college coaches.

Playing less than 24 hours after waging a tough battle in a State Cup semifinal, where they fell 2-1 to the Vancouver Timbers, the Islanders bounced right back.

Facing off with elite squads, they earned a draw and a close loss, while having a chance to dazzle recruiters with their individual skills.

With more than 30 colleges represented in the stands, the stakes were high for any booters who are interested in continuing to play after their high school days are done.

With that in mind, the Islanders went toe-to-toe with the Pierce County Fire College Prep Team, and refused to yield, notching a 0-0 draw in an intense affair.

“Our girls performed outstanding,” said Islander coach Sean LeVine. “The other team was bigger, faster, and stronger than most of our team, but we rose to the challenge and frustrated them.

“This was our best game of the season!”

A lights-out defense sparked by Alyssa Cross, who fought through a toe injury suffered the day before, was the key. Cross, ignoring the pain, completely locked-down the left side of play almost by herself.

Whidbey’s second game was a narrow 2-0 loss to an “elite” PSPL Academy team that was formed specifically for college showcase tournament play.

The Islanders came with another strong defensive effort, but two small mistakes hurt them.

Vivien Valles broke free and had a chance to notch a goal for Whidbey, but the Academy goalie got her fingertips on the ball and re-directed it at the last second.

“We finished that tough match with some players playing in atypical positions and we still did well,” LeVine said. “I am very happy with how they played against these “elite” teams.

“Kenzie Perry, Becca Pabona, Jacki Ginnings, Paige Waterman, Alyssa Cross, Kendra Warwick and Selena Medina deserve to be mentioned for their stellar play this weekend,” he added. “But all our players stepped up and had great games!”

Saturday the Islanders went into their semifinal match against the Timbers needing a win or draw to advance to the championship game. It wasn’t to be, however.

Pabona nailed “a rocket from 30 yards out” for her team’s goal, while Erin Rosenkranz, Hailey Erbe, Micky LeVine, Medina and Morgan Zylstra pushed hard in the second half for a tying score that never came.

Perry shut down the Timbers for huge chunks of the game, collecting 15 saves.