Varsity - Bellevue Vs Holy Name 11-15-24

Bellevue 2-0 Holy Names
36th min Kaitlyn (Saleen) header from corner
41st min Leah (Saleen)

Before our last practice on Thursday, we reviewed 18th-seeded Holy Names on video from their 5-0 victory over 15th-seeded Lakes. Before we scouted that game, coach John and I knew that Holy Names was an "18 seed" in name only, and likely the best of the 8 teams who didn't get a BYE into the round of 16. It happens every year. The 4th place Metro team drops in the committee seeding process, and one unlucky top seed faces an opening State game significantly more difficult than the ranking numbers listed before each team. This year. we drew the 4th place Metro team who had just dismantled #15 Lakes 5-0 in their first round match (and it couldn've been more). So on paper, it was #2 vs. #18, but we knew that just a few weeks ago at the end of the regular season, Holy Names had beaten #5 Seattle Prep 1-0 and tied #11 Eastside Catholic (both won their rd of 16 State games on Friday), so we certainly weren't looking past the Cougars. 

We took our preparation seriously and did our best to keep sharp during our long two-week break since our last game. But despite productive training sessions, a bit of rust was inevitable. So it goes. We started brightly, creating two quick chances and several dangerous cut-back crosses, but our timing and supporting runs weren't precise enough and we didn't convert. Rust. The balance of the first half felt more like a series of fits and starts without the rhythm we typically find after the first few minutes of chaotic game-time smooths over. But even without creating an abundance of early chances, we controlled the game and stayed patient and organized. Holy Names had occasional forays into our defensive area and a few shots, but they were speculative and Katelyn wasn't seriously tested in our goal thanks to the dedication of our field players in front of her.    

The breakthrough came from a corner with 4 minutes left in the first half. I remember mentioning to our bench just before the kick that "Kaitlyn is going to score...," (more from a feeling of declarative optimism than a vision of the future)...but then Saleen took the corner, and our senior center-back gave the ball a Scottish kiss, smashing the ball with her forehead into the back of the net. 1-0 Bellevue. And suddenly I felt like Nostradamus and tried to envision something like lottery numbers, stock prices, or future Super Bowl scores. But more importantly, we had a well-earned lead. Regardless, the goal was like our entire team being dunked in a tank of rust-oleum, because for the remainder of the game our soccer was sparkling and shiny. Rust gone. We added a 2nd goal in the 41st minute, barely out of the shed from halftime as Paris threw the ball into Saleen's feet (simple throws = best throws), Saleen dribbled through 4 defenders, before cutting-back a cross to Leah who timed her supporting run to perfection and was rewarded with a goal from the doorstep. Excellent. 2-0 Bellevue. And although we had several more chances to score in the second half, more gratifyingly, we held Holy Names without a shot or a corner for the last 40 minutes of the game. Whistle. Hugs. Handshakes. And onto the State quarterfinals. Shiny and sharp.

Our victory against Holy Names earned us a quarterfinal match-up with #10 Ridgeline who dominated #7 Peninsula 3-1. The Falcons are organized, well-coached, play beautiful possession-based soccer, and won the District 6 (eastern Washington) championship last week against their rivals Mt. Spokane. They are a very good team. But in a tournament campaign, you eventually have to beat the best. So bring on the best from the east.

We'll be ready. 

I'll be the guy on the sidelines with a pocket full of lottery tickets. :)