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THE SPORTS PAGE The Arlington Times • The Marysville Globe
November 16, 2013
M-P soccer falls in State opener BY SCOTT FRANK
sfrank@marysvilleglobe.com
Kirk Boxleitner/Staff Photo
M-P Girls Soccer Head Coach Paul Bartley gives instructions to his team during a recent match.
MARYSVILLE — The Marysville-Pilchuck Girls Soccer team was knocked out in the first round of the 3A State Tournament, Nov. 12, when they fell to Bishop Blanchet 2-1. Bishop Blanchet took a 2-0 lead in the first half, and despite being shut out in the second half, was able to hang on for the victory. M-P’s only goal came in the 54th minute, when senior Amanda Klep scored on a penalty kick. “We had multiple opportunities in the first half but, unfortunately, we just didn’t get a goal,” said M-P Girls Soccer Head Coach Paul Bartley. “I thought we did a great job. We just couldn’t convert on the opportunities. We actually had seven opportunities in the second half, to Blanchet only having two shots on goal. I thought, at the end of the game, we were the team that was dominating
and they were just trying to hang on for the win.” Despite the loss, Bartley said he was very proud of the girls and what they have been able to accomplish as a team this year. “This is the first time that we won the 3A Wesco North Championship and made it to the State Tournament,” said Bartley. “This school has existed since 1977, so it is a really big accomplishment for the girls.” Bartley praised his team for their hard work throughout the season, and said one of the main reasons for the team’s success was the camaraderie among the team members. “I think the main thing that made this group special is that they really enjoy being with each other, and they genuinely like each other,” said Bartley. “They would do anything they can for each other, so that translates on the field to them not being selfish, or thinking about themselves first. They have a really good
team chemistry.” Bartley added that, for the first time, Marysville had six people on the first team allconference and three people on the second team all-conference. “I think the girls earned all of the accolades that they’re received,” said Bartley. “We have never had this many people on the first team or second team all-conference. They set a bunch of goals, and they achieved almost all of them, except making it to the state finals.” For the seniors, the loss marked the end of their soccer careers at MarysvillePilchuck High School. “We have seven seniors, and for them this year was unlike any other anybody has ever had,” said Bartley. “It was pretty emotional yesterday. They didn’t want to get on the bus when the game was over. I know that the seniors appreciated how the season went, and they were just sorry that it had come to an end.”
Lakewood boys place 9th at State Meet BY SCOTT FRANK
sfrank@marysvilleglobe.com
LAKEWOOD — The Lakewood boys cross country team traveled to Pasco where they completed in the 2A State Meet Nov. 9, and despite high expectations, finished in ninth place. “It wasn’t what either the boys or the coaches were expecting. We didn’t run particularly well, and there were expectations that would we do much better,” said Lakewood Cross County Head Coach Jeff Sowards, about the ninth place finish. Lakewood entered the State Meet ranked No. 1 in the coaches poll, and fresh off a 2A District Championship a week earlier where they beat the teams which claimed the top three spots at the State Meet. “In just a matter of six days something changed. We just didn’t have our best race at state where we could have reasonably expected to win the state championship. But that’s what athletics is all about. You tow the line when the contest starts, and you do
your best to win,” said Sowards. “I am really proud of the boys, and their efforts, but it just wasn’t our day.” Sowards said that while Douglas Davis was the team’s top finisher at 17th place, with a time of 16:19.58, he didn’t run well. “Douglas had a marginal day,” said Sowards. “Based on the competition, and what he was in shape to do, it wasn’t a particularly good race for him.” Lakewood’s Drew Cabales ran a 16:27.86 and finished in 21st place. “On the other hand, Drew’s race was actually a pretty good race for him,” said Sowards. “He set a personal record that day at state, and to set a PR at state oftentimes doesn’t happen, so we’re all pleased with his performance. He was definitely the shining spot in a less-than-stellar day for the other guys.” In addition to Davis and Cabales competing for the Cougars, Alex Cooper finished in 74th place with a time of 17:09.35, Preston Davis finished in 85th place with a time of 17:20.47, Mitchell Darrah finished in 106th
place with a time of 17:36.24, Connor Smith finished in 107th place with a time of 17:36.41, and Jake Ryan finished in 127th place with a time of 18:11.51. And while the team may not have done as well at the State Meet as they had hoped, Sowards said he is very proud of the team members and what they have been able to accomplish. “I have no complaints about the season. Both the boys and girls teams are mature, they are unified, and they are committed to each other. I couldn’t be more proud of both teams,” said Sowards. “I think what makes the sting of disappointment even greater is they did everything we asked. They knew that they had planned and prepared as well as any team, actually better than any team that we’ve ever had come through the halls here at Lakewood. They have three school records, they placed higher at meets than we ever have, and they were the first team in this new configuration of our classification to win a district championship.” Sowards said this team embod-
“I couldn’t be more proud of both teams.” Jeff Sowards Cross Country Head Coach ies his favorite quote, a line from the movie “The Shootist,” starring John Wayne and Ron Howard. “In the movie, there is a line that John Wayne, who plays an old gunfighter, gives to the character Ronnie Howard is playing, a young gunfighter who is really fast and really accurate. John Wayne’s character says, ‘It’s not about being fast or accurate, young man,’ and this is the part I tell the kids, ‘It’s about being willing.’ The willingness to prepare. The willingness to tow the line as a warrior in cross country, and to put all your efforts on the line. These kids embodied the willingness. Every practice, every weight room session and every stretching session, they were willing to do the work, and to build the team to be a championship team.” Sowards added, “Like I told them, my heart aches for them that the prize wasn’t theirs. But,
Photo courtesy of Randy Ordonez
Lakewood’s Douglas Davis heads down the homestretch at the 2A State Meet in Pasco Nov. 9. ultimately, the journey and the getting there will be the biggest memory that I will have from this team. This state weekend will be overshadowed by all of the great things accomplished by this team.”