TACOMA — The Sequim girls soccer team won its loser-out playoff game this weekend, hanging on at the end to beat Franklin Pierce 3-2.
The victory means the Wolves get to move on to the double-elimination phase of the District 3 2A tournament, beginning with a game tonight at Olympic League champion Bainbridge.
Junior midfielder Lily Sparks came up big for the Wolves, scoring a pair of goals. She got her first in the fifth minute and Raimey Brewer gave the Wolves a 2-0 lead with an unassisted goal in the 13th minute, a lead that held until halftime.
“We stepped off the gas a little bit going into the second half. The Cardinals had a very talented senior who put the team on her back and was able to capitalize [with a goal],” said assistant coach Vianey Cadanes. “Seeing a 2-1 score is always one of the most dangerous score lines in soccer and momentum seemed to be on Franklin Pierce’s side.”
But Sparks responded with her second goal of the game in the 48th minute.
“It wasn’t a perfect game by any means, and after the Cardinals got their second goal, we knew we had to lock in defensively. We made some adjustments and Olive Bridge was a tremendous help, stepping up in the back line,” Cadanes said.
“I give Franklin Pierce so much credit. They fought until the final whistle — but the Wolves fought harder. Our back line really held it down and everyone locked in the last 10 minutes and got the job done to secure the 3-2 win,” she said.
Bainbridge is ranked fifth in the state in Ratings Percentage Index and has a 15-1 record, so the Wolves have a big challenge tonight. The game begins at 6 p.m. and should be broadcast on the NFHS Network. Win or lose, Sequim (8-9) plays again Thursday, against either Port Angeles (14-3) or North Kitsap (12-4), who play each other tonight, also at 6 p.m., in Poulsbo.
