Girls soccer semifinalists in fight for survival

The adage of "taking one game at a time" has been used often this season by coaches and players in the girls state soccer playoffs.

One look at the competitive fields and it is easy to understand why.

The depth of talented teams might be at an all-time high, and a state-championship run is becoming as much about survival as being the best, according to some coaches.

"One thing that's becoming clearer and clearer is the leagues around the state are raising their level of play every year," said Skyline coach Don Braman. "It's something that makes us have to fight that much harder, and it makes it fun."

And also fun for the fans.

Without a heavy favorite in Class 4A or 3A, one lucky bounce could decide who hoists the first-place trophies.

Someone that can attest to the high level of 4A competition is Jackson coach Mike Bartley, whose top-ranked Timberwolves of Mill Creek entered the state tournament unbeaten, but lost in the first round to Beamer of Federal Way in a shootout.

"This whole state is great for women's soccer and a lot of favored teams lost in the first round, which just shows how tough the state tournament is," said Bartley.

It was the second straight year the top-ranked 4A team didn't advance past the first round. In 2008, it was Kentwood.

This year, the Conquerors, who haven't lost a game before the state tournament in the last two seasons, ensured the program's first trophy finish with a quarterfinal win.

"At this level, you know you're going to be in for a battle," said Kentwood coach Aaron Radford, whose team has allowed two goals all season. "And confidence in holding a lead is very minimal until that final whistle is blown."

Just qualifying for the state field is a tall task.

Class 4A powers Woodinville (last year's state runner-up) and Mead of Spokane (third in 2008) were ranked all season, but missed the round of 16.

Things don't get much easier in 3A.

Defending champion Everett, the top-ranked team the entire regular season, lost two games in the Northwest District tournament and was eliminated. Before the playoffs, the Seagulls went 16-0-0 in the regular season against exclusively 4A opponents.

The only advantage in the postseason, say some coaches and players, is playing in a strong league.

A cutthroat KingCo 4A has produced the last three state champions and boasts two of the four semifinalists this year: Issaquah and Skyline. A competitive Greater St. Helens 3A League produced two teams, Camas and Columbia River, in the final four.

"The [state] competition is really high, but we've had a lot of tough games during the season," said Skyline senior captain Coral Anderson.

More tough ones are still to come.