TACOMA — After the Sequim soccer girls got off to an 0-6 start in Olympic League 2A play this season, coach Derek Vander Velde vowed that the team would be better in the second half.
Vander Velde may not have known what exactly he unleashed.
The Wolves not only got better, they qualified for the West Central District III 2A Tournament. They not only qualified for district, they qualified for the state 2A tournament.
And they didn’t just qualify for the state 2A tournament, they went out and won the district tournament and enter state as a No. 1 seed.
The Wolves entered district as a No. 4 seed, but won three straight at district, beating North Kitsap 1-0 in the district championship Saturday behind a Hope Glasser goal and their usual stout defense.
It was the ninth win out of 10 matches for the Wolves. And it was the first-ever district championship for the Wolves girls soccer program.
“We did something that had never been done. This 2018 team is going to be the new benchmark” for Sequim girls’ soccer, Vander Velde said.
That 0-6 start in league was a bit deceptive. It was largely a lot of bad luck. The Wolves lost two matches in shootouts (actually picking up valuable points in those losses that helped them qualify for district) and lost two other matches by one goal each.
“It was such an uphill battle,” Vander Velde said. “I knew we would be better, but I didn’t know where we would end up in league or district. We just wanted to make it to district,” he said.
Along the way, Vander Velde and his coaches stressed to the girls to keep their attitude positive and to keep grinding away. And the Wolves responded.
“They bought into it from day one,” he said.
“It’s been an incredible ride. They’ve shown determination and resiliency,” Vander Velde said.
Glasser’s goal was assisted by goalkeeper Olivia Hare on a free kick. Vander Velde said that the Wolves’ Eden Johnson played “an amazing game” and that Gabby Happe played a “phenomenal” match despite not feeling well.
During their winning streak, the Wolves have shut out their opponents five times. They also won four matches by one goal.
The Wolves (10-8-1 overall) don’t get much of a break as they are back on the pitch Tuesday in the first round of the state 2A tournament. That game is tentatively set for 7 p.m. Tuesday at at Silverdale Stadium. The opponent is Ellensburg (13-4-0), which finished second in the CWAC League.
Sequim soccer players celebrate Saturday after beating North Kitsap in the West Central District III 2A championship match. Sequim begins play at the 2A state tournament Tuesday. (Michael Dashiell/North Olympic News Group)
