Paige Waterman (far right) scored “the goal of the season, so far” Saturday to spark her team’s 2-0 win. And yes, this photo is obviously not from this weekend — when snow threatened for much of the day. (Kali Barrio photo)
The other team threw punches, but the Whidbey Islanders GU18 select soccer squad landed the knockout Saturday.
Facing a rough-and-tumble rival in Seattle United Shoreline, the Islanders overcame having two of its players lit up and thrashed their hosts 2-0.
The win, coming against a team Whidbey had tied the previous two times out, was very satisfying for Islander coach Sean LeVine.
It might even make Kendra Warwick (punch to the face) and Tori Wellman (elbow to the solar plexus) a little happy, once they start breathing normally again.
“This team has become somewhat of a rival for us; both (previous) games were very, very physical and left our team with a desire for some payback!,” LeVine said. “I was not surprised by the outcome. Happy and extremely proud, yes, but not surprised.
“While it was a competitive match, we clearly dominated — most of the time.”
Playing with a full squad for only the second time this season, the Islanders controlled the flow on both sides of the field.
Keeper Kenzie Perry was her usual dazzling self, smoothly making 16 saves while playing behind a superb band of defenders.
“All of their shots came from distance in front of our defense and Kenzie did not have to work too hard,” LeVine said. “They had no chances from behind our stout defense.”
When they had the ball on the attack, Whidbey converted with style.
Paige Waterman threw down the “goal of the season, so far” smartly heading the ball into the net off of a crisp corner kick from Jenn Spark.
Jacalyn Hefflefinger also connected, punching in a shot inside the box on a set-up from Bailee Olson.
It was the second straight game Olson and Hefflefinger had teamed up for a goal.
“I think we have found a good striking duo, and I plan to continue that so long as we have a full team,” LeVine said. “These two combine speed, skill, and a healthy dose of scrappiness that make them very dangerous in the box!
“I owe Paige a coffee card! All I can say is WOW!!,” he added. “That is how you score with your head! Paigey was not going to be denied getting to that ball, as usual, but this time she found the ball squarely with her forehead directing it downward with pace, putting her whole upper body behind it (just as taught). Picture perfect goal!”
While he was happy with the play and effort of his roster from top to bottom, giving big props to Becca Pabona for her play on the back line, LeVine singled out defender Jacki Ginnings as his player of the game.
“She found her niche and comfort zone as a defender and has excelled in that spot,” LeVine said. “However, she excelled to the point that we see her as a player that can be dominant for our team in any position we put her in.
“Considering our team has had some trouble scoring, we decided to move Jacki’s dominance into an attacking midfield role. While she expressed some concerns about this move, she still stepped in and did it, and did it very well, as expected,” he added. “She may not have made the stat line, but her attack on the dribble put the ball into the box in the first 10 minutes of the game and created the opportunity for our strikers to score!”
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