FORKS — Forks’ youthful girls soccer squad had trouble catching up to Ocosta’s speed and technique in an 8-0 Pacific League loss at Spartan Stadium on Wednesday.
“Ocosta is leading our league right now, and there was a little shock at how quickly they were moving the ball,” Spartans coach Tracy Gillett said. “Their technique is impressive. Once they got past that shock, they showed growth and gained more confidence.”
Gillett said that eighth-grader Peyton Johnson impressed during the match.
“Peyton just was a powerhouse striker and midfielder,” Gillett said. “I could put her anywhere; she just runs and runs and is very adaptive, which is amazing to have as a coach.”
Gillett said another eighth-grader, Brynley Ponton, was the team’s most aggressive defender.
“Along with Miley Blanton, those two, the entire game they were aggressive and continued to fight for the ball,” Gillett said.
The team of 18 eighth-graders, six juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen also recently elected its team captains: Candida-Rose Sandoval and Cristina Udave Ramos.
“Candida is usually a defender, and Cristina is a midfielder, so it’s nice as a coach to know you have a captain in each of those lines,” Gillett said.
Forks (0-2) visits Napavine (0-2) today.
Sequim 2, Olympic 0
BREMERTON — Hannah Wagner and Abby Schroeder combined on a header goal; freshman Taryn Johnson converted on a breakaway; and senior goalkeeper Olivia Hare picked up the shutout in the Wolves’ win.
“It was tough. It was pretty rough competition between the teams — not malicious in any way — just a good tough game for both sides,” Sequim coach Derek Vander Velde said.
“We played our best so far, and it’s been nice to see the amount of growth we have made.”
Vander Velde said the Wolves struck first in the game’s early going.
“We got a free kick about 30 yards out, and Abby Schroeder took the free kick, and it bounced over the keeper’s head, and Hannah Wagner was there to head it in. Another Abby and Hannah header-goal combination.”
The duo also paired up on another headed goal by Wagner in a win over Kingston last week.
Sequim notched the insurance goal just after halftime.
“Liv kicked the ball clear, and Natalya James got a hold of it and sent a ball behind the Olympic back line,” Vander Velde said. “Taryn Johnson, one of our freshmen, was able to run onto the ball. The goalie came out, and she was able to loft it past her. It was one of those ‘wow’ goals.”
Vander Velde said senior center back Amara Sayer had an excellent contest as well as freshman Kaia Lestage.
“Amara has really taken to mentoring Kaia this season, and Kaia is showing what she is capable of,” Vander Velde said.
Freshman Zoe Moore and sophomore Alliyah Weber also did well to shut Olympic down and preserve the shutout late in the contest.
“With our short season and the numbers that we have, having players that can swing from JV to varsity has been a real strong point for us,” Vander Velde said.
Volleyball
Sequim 3, Olympic 0
SEQUIM — A third straight strong serving game lifted the Wolves in a 25-21, 25-22, 25-14 sweep of the Trojans. Sequim also claimed an extra game 25-19.
The Wolves served 95 percent on the night, their third straight game above 90-percent accuracy.
“We played pretty well. We had some passing issues off and on, but nothing terrible,” coach Jennie Webber Heilman said.
Senior setter Kalli Wiker was active all over the court for Sequim.
Wiker served 28 for 28 with eight aces, 27 assists, 13 digs and two kills.
The Wolves put the contest away in the third game with Wiker’s help.
“She had an 11-point run with three aces in the third game, and we went from four points to 15 points up, and they also called two timeouts,” Webber Heilman said. “She was definitely on a roll.”
Kendall Hastings served 8 for 9 with three aces and led the offense with 19 kills and also added four stuff blocks defensively.
“I’m thinking that kills total was a personal best,” Webber Heilman said. “She was playing middle and swinging away.”
Other strong performers for Sequim included Amanda Weller, who served 12 for 13 with two aces and four kills. McKenna Hastings was 11 for 11 on serve and added six perfect serve-receive passes, six digs, two kills and a stuff block.
Freshman Jolene Vaara stepped into a new position in the middle and had seven kills, five digs and was 5 for 5 on serves with an ace.
Malory Morey contributed two stuff blocks and a kill while Aly Gale served 10 for 10 with an ace, six perfect passes and eight digs.
Lindsay Swanson also had three aces and five digs.
The Wolves (2-1) face Port Angeles tonight, part of a four-match week for Sequim.
“I hope the girls have enough gas left in the tank by Saturday,” Webber Heilman said.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@ peninsuladaily news.com.
