TACOMA — If there was one factor the Seton Catholic ladies soccer workforce took away from its first Class 1A state last 4 recreation, it’s this — the Cougars are very shut to higher outcomes.
No. 2 seed Seton Catholic suffered a 1-0 loss to No. 3 Bellevue Christian within the 1A state semifinals on Friday at Mount Tahoma Excessive College, snapping an undefeated season for the previously-undefeated Trico League and District 4 champs.
With wind gusts topping 30 miles per hour, goal-scoring alternatives have been few and much between for each groups till the 50-minute mark when Bellevue Christian’s Lila Naeseth put by means of a close-range shot from an Emily Eggers cross. The one-goal lead stood, because the Cougars have been unable to get a shot on aim for the remainder of the half.
However within the Cougars’ defeat, the brand new children on the block proved they will cling with a perennial state last 4 program like Bellevue Christian.
“Now we see what we need to do to go further,” Seton Catholic head coach Antonio Buckley stated.
“It taught us that we’re that close. We’re way ahead of schedule.”
Senior captain Kaia Lauder agreed.
Together with fellow seniors Jessica Barrett and Hailey Hammerstrom, the three started their highschool careers in 2021 when the Cougars completed 9-10-1. They’ve improved that mark in every of the three years to comply with.
There’s a way of optimism this 12 months marks the primary of a number of journeys to the state last 4 sooner or later.
“We’ve come a long way since our freshmen year,” Lauder stated. “We’ve simply actually watched this program develop. Beneath Antonio’s management, it means a lot to see this program truly go someplace and never be the joke of the varsity anymore.
“It’s taken a full 180, the mentality shift has been insane. Over the years we want it so bad. Everybody shows up to practice every day willing to work and put in the effort, whether they’re on the bench or they play (80) minutes. The team community is so strong that it’s such a positive place to grow. This is my favorite team to play on, and that’s saying something because I’ve been on a few teams.”
Seton Catholic’s penchant for scoring objectives early was put to the take a look at throughout a scoreless first half Friday in opposition to a strong Vikings again line and goalkeeper Abbie Nienaber. Other than CJ Moore’s shot try within the first half whereas drawing contact in opposition to Bellevue Christian’s Charlotte Aitken, the Cougars have been in any other case held with out a shot.
“Throughout the season we’ve scored pretty quickly, so it kind of did (put) a little bit of pressure on us just because we’re used to that,” Moore stated.
The Cougars will face No. 4 Cashmere within the third-place recreation at 10 a.m. Saturday.
“I think the lesson we’re taking away from this is, yes, it’s going to be tough, but at this point in the season the margin for error is really small,” Buckley stated. “So, when we do get back here, hopefully we can learn those lessons, we can be locked in more and do things a little bit better.”
The Cougars may also have an additional incentive to ship off their three seniors, Lauder, Barrett and Hammerstrom, with a season-ending win.
“Put it all out there,” Lauder stated of the workforce’s mindset. “It’s my last game, last time I get to play, last time I get to put a Seton jersey on. I think everyone on the team is willing to play for us. We’re ready to put it all out there and get that third-place (trophy).”