Eastlake girls soccer team not finished

SAMMAMISH — Eastlake's girls soccer team is loaded with talent.

The roster boasts three seniors committed to Division I schools and several other college prospects. A state championship is well within reach.

But, despite a record turnout of players in the program this season, much of the attention is focused on one player who is not on the field: Emily Hurd, last year's Class 4A State Player of the Year.

Hurd, who has committed to Penn State, will train full time and receive specialized instruction at the Crossfire Premier Academy instead of playing her senior season for the Wolves.

"It was a very tough decision," said Hurd, who is enrolled full time at Bellevue Community College through a Running Start program. "I love Eastlake. I love the team. I love the girls and the coaches. [Coach] Chuck [Krieble] is a great teacher. But there are parts of my game that I wanted to improve. Ultimately, I had this opportunity to dedicate my training and prepare for what's ahead of me."

Hurd had 19 goals and 12 assists as a junior.

She isn't the only loss for the Wolves this season. North Carolina-Greensboro recruit Kory Spotts' family moved out of the area, taking away another top talent.

Despite those departures, Eastlake's expectations remain sky high. And if any team could make up for the loss of perhaps the state's best player and make a state-title run, it is the Wolves.

"We definitely have what it takes," said defender Courtney Pixler, who has played with Hurd since they were 3. "We have the talent. We just need to stay connected, stay bonded and put it together."

With some new pieces in play, chemistry will be key. The leaders, however, are in place: Washington recruits Allie Beahan and Lindsay Elston and the Alabama-bound Pixler. All are seniors.

The Wolves also add a world-class newcomer to the mix.

Candice Osei-Agyemang, a senior forward/midfielder, represented Ghana at the 2008 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and is playing her first season for Eastlake. Her teammates and coach are touting her as an immediate impact player.

"She's the reason I have this stupid smile on my face," said Krieble, who called Osei-Agyemang polished, versatile and "an obvious talent."

The team isn't counting on Osei-Agyemang to entirely replace Hurd's production. That, said Beahan, will be a collaborative effort.

"We have a bunch of people that can make up for [Hurd's absence]," said Beahan, a midfielder/forward who missed most of last season with a partially torn medial collateral ligament. "We have a lot of quality players that have the chance now to step up and show what they have."

Possibly even surprise.

Said Elston: "People won't be expecting us to be as good [without Hurd]. Maybe we'll surprise some people."

The surprise for Eastlake last season came in the form of an early playoff exit. The Wolves, one of the Class 4A state favorites, fell short in a first-round loss to Bellarmine Prep of Tacoma.

The disappointment of 2008 has turned to motivation.

"We definitely have the potential. It's definitely there," said Beahan. "How bad we want it is going to be key. And we want it."