Jacalyn Hefflefinger is en fuego on the soccer field.
Jacalyn Hefflefinger is a young woman on fire.
And yes, I could have gone for the easy “Hunger Games” reference there, but Hefflefinger is no mere girl. She’s a goal-scoring machine tearing apart soccer foes in a way even Katniss Everdeen would respect.
Saturday she threw down two more goals, giving her four in her last three games, to spark the Whidbey Islanders GU18 select squad to a thrilling come-from-behind 2-1 victory over host NSC Evolution in Bothell.
Trailing at the half, the Islanders started feeding Hefflefinger in the second half, and her golden leg put the boom down.
Jenn Spark set her up on a corner kick for the tying goal, while Micky “Two Fists” LeVine out-battled the Evolution keeper in the box, winning the ball and putting it on Hefflefinger’s foot for the win.
Islander coach Sean LeVine, basking in the afterglow of his team’s third straight win, praised his players left and right, starting with his unstoppable striker.
“WOW! I don’t recall having a player with a stat line like that (four goals in three games),” he said. “She has been outstanding this season, but the move to striker is paying off!
“The downside for Jac, is now we expect her to score, ha!,” LeVine added. “Just kidding, keep working hard, you are an inspiring player for our team!”
The soccer guru also sidestepped tradition and gave a player of the game nod to his own offspring.
“I almost never do this (one of the many down sides of being a coach’s kid), but Micky cannot be denied today!,” LeVine said. “She was on fire at right mid today! Especially second half, she just seemed to win the ball and have a positive play every time she was near it.
“She played from their box to our box and saved us at least twice when the ball found itself in our box with only her and a white jersey near it!,” he added. “Great job today, Micky! By the way, you’re my favorite player and I love you!”
Capping the day’s strong team-wide performance was a surprise yellow card handed out to mild-mannered Erin Rosenkranz. While it caught LeVine by surprise, he liked the chippiness it rewarded.
“Erin’s yellow card was another inspiring moment,” LeVine said. “I think we were all too shocked and confused to argue with the ref about that, but I’m pretty sure he got that wrong.
“Unless she’s been secretly hitting people all this time and just not getting caught!,” he added with a laugh. “Hmmm, we’ll have to keep an eye on her…”
The Islanders will try to stretch their win streak to four when they hit the road again for a Sunday morning game against ISC Arsenal at Skyline Community Fields.
Coupeville Sports 
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