The Issaquah Girls’ Soccer C-Team played against Skyline on Oct. 7 in an exciting home game, full of spectacular defensive moves, incredible dive saves, and an amazing overall performance. Unfortunately, the aggressive and determined demeanor of Skyline’s players sealed Issaquah’s fate, and the Eagles lost with a finishing score of 1-3.
Goalkeeper Bella Roche was kept busy, with Skyline constantly attempting goals throughout the game. She remained a stellar goalie, blocking ball after ball. Coach Demaree Kieburtz says, “We really haven’t played against anybody that is good, to be honest. So, it’s hard all of a sudden to be hit by a really good team.” She then continued, saying; “They’re a big, strong team, and I think that’s what killed us, is their speed and their determination to win every 50/50 ball, and that’s something we can benefit, being a little bit more physical. But we’re not really a physical team. We play a little bit more small ball, but I think maybe the next time we see them it will be a little different.”
The game was definitely kept interesting, some athletes even being shoved down by unrelenting Skyline players. Sophomore Emily Sands, a front winger, and Sophomore Eliana Greene, a striker for the Eagles both performed defense extremely well and were able to prevent many of Skyline’s hostile attempts at scoring, with freshman Maeva Kleinman, a left-winger for the team, bringing a great offensive game.
As proof of their aggressive behavior, a Skyline player launched a harsh ball directly into Sand’s stomach. However, as a testimony to the perseverance of our team, she continued playing.
Regrettably, Issaquah received a penalty in which Skyline was given a free kick, and scored, taking the lead and making the score 0-1. Issaquah seemed to be constantly playing defense, with little time to try and score goals themselves. Some great saves were made by our soccer team. However, Skyline was simply too ruthless, scoring another two goals, leaving the score 0-3. But just when all seemed to be lost, freshman and attacking striker Hannah Johnson, aided by her teammates, swept in and scored a goal for Issaquah to regain their dignity.
As the last minutes ticked away, the game got more desperate, and several girls collided, rushing in a desperate attempt to score a last-minute goal. However, the damage was already done, and Issaquah was unable to gain the lead. The game ended with a score of 1-3, and Issaquah had their first loss to Skyline.
Before Monday, the Eagles had only lost one of their nine games. Kleinman says, “I think everyone’s done well except I feel like our last 3 games have been really hard.” As an explanation for their loss, Coach Kieburtz says, “I threw a whole new lineup at them, and so for the first half I feel like they kind of resisted the change, and I kind of understand that, but I think second half I thought that they started to embrace it and they kind of made it their own. So, I appreciated the second half a lot better than the first half.” Kleinman agrees, saying, “Except for Wednesday we’ve won all of our games, and we switched formations today and I just don’t really think it worked.” She continues, saying, “We could have done better.” Greene says, “It was really upsetting to lose to our rivals, but I think everyone tried really hard and I’m proud of the team.”
There was a good show of parents at the game, both supportive parents and encouraging fans. Coach Kieburtz says, “I would love to do a shout-out to my parents, I think I have a really great group of parents that are there to support either team, I don’t hear a bunch of sass, and I think they really recognize the fact that this team is the school’s team, and not their club team, and so they’re very good at just supporting the girls.” She continues to say, “I think right now we’re just in a really hard spot over our season, and so I think a lot of it needs to be just supporting them.” Make sure to support the Eagles by coming to their next games, on Oct. 9 and Oct. 17 at 7pm.
