On Monday, Nov. 3, the Orcas girls soccer team beat Evergreen Lutheran 1-0, then played on Thursday in heavy rains against Seattle Lutheran and lost a close one 2-1. On Saturday at Sammamish High School they played against the Ocosta Wildcats and beat the Wildcats 2-0, which gave the Orcas team third place seed in the state playoffs that begin on Nov. 15 in Sumner, Washington, at Chev Stadium.

Coach Chama Anderson, who has coached the girls’ team since its inception last year says, “I am seeing their skills develop into an ability to use strategy in a more integrated manner on the field. Some players think globally, and others more locally, and each player is starting to take that into account as they work with one another. It’s amazing to watch.”

Grace Thompson scored with a well-placed cross from Emily Diepenbrock right in front of the goal in the first half of the game against Evergreen Lutheran, and shut down the Evergreen team for the rest of the match, playing a back and forth game for control of the ball the rest of the day.

On Thursday in messy weather, the Lady Vikings fell 2-1 to Seattle Lutheran at home, playing a very intense game that displayed great team effort on their part. Coach Anderson said, “There was really good team playing. Everyone played well, including our substitutes.” Analies Schuh was playing the midfield outside and put herself in perfect position, using an assist from Stephanie Shaw to nail the ball and slam it into the net. “For both teams to keep their skill levels up in the face of the downpour and the wind showed great maturity,” said Coach Anderson.

And on Saturday, the Lady Vikings beat the Ocosta Wildcats 2-0 and came away with a third place tri-district placement.

Coach Anderson said, “We did dominate play and the first half was good, but the ball skills and the passing game really came together in the second half, and that was beautiful to watch. Maddy Smith scored the first goal and it went into the top of the box in the left corner. The second goal was off of an assist by Schuh. She crossed it to the weak sidepost and Diepenbrock took it as a header and knocked it in. The young women have been hesitant to do headers but they are getting so much better at that.”

The Lady Vikings advance in competition, and will play Saturday, Nov. 15 in Sumner, Washington against the Ocosta Wildcats. If they win, they will advance to semi-final play on November 21st and if they lose, that will end their successful season.