The Tyee boys soccer team is on an amazing ride and making school history in a sporting way.
Tyee (14-4-1) is in the playoffs for the first time since 1982. For you who are slow at math (like me) that is 31 years ago! Remember 1982, well some of us do. That was the year the Commodore 64 computer and the first CD players were introduced by Sony - my how technology has changed!
Tyee has already made school history, winning its first playoff game by a score of 4-1 over Capitol of Olympia, on May 15th at Highline Memorial Stadium. That was their first-round match in the Class 2A Playoffs. So from now on, every win continues to rewrite their history book as they move towards their goal to be State Champions.
In the past, Tyee’s sport programs have suffered. According to Wikipedia®, “Tyee has been largely unsuccessful in athletics, having earned only three state championships in its history, in cross country in 1975 and 1976, and girls' soccer in 1984. Tyee has not made a state tournament since 2004 in girls' basketball. In addition, Tyee holds the dubious distinction of once having the state's longest losing streak in football, at 46 games from 1988 to 1993.” (NOTE: Tyee no longer has a football team)
So with some good leadership and planning for the future, they are making important strides on improving their sports programs. A perfect example is their boys’ soccer team.
First-year head coach Allan Rider had been with the Tyee soccer program for the last five years before taking over the reins from John Yellam, the school’s athletic director and now assistant coach. Coach Rider, a 2005 graduate from Tyee, also played soccer there. He told me how the team got to where they are today.
“When John Yellam and I sat down five years ago, these are the things that we talked about,” said Coach Rider. “It wasn't anything I did this year, it was what the two of us have done year after year, to get the guys to buy into the system and just come out and work.”
Tyee’s second round playoff game was against SPSL 2A Conference team, Franklin Pierce of Tacoma on Saturday, May 18th. A large crowd of Tyee supporters drove the 30 or so miles to watch the game, something you would not have seen before. Attendance has been a problem in the past: parents and a few students would attend; but hey, this is Tyee rewriting history and they are aware and attending the games.
As the teams were warming up before the game, I noticed something: The Tyee boys were certainly out-sized by the Franklin Pierce team - some of their guys were HUGE! But size doesn't always matter; it is quickness and ball control that helps win games. Height can help with headers, but tall players are usually not as quick as shorter players, so I think Tyee had the advantage with their quickness.
During the game, I found myself amazed at the way Tyee players were able to maneuver themselves with the ball around defenders. With their great ball control, I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyee had possession of the ball for two-thirds of the game.
The first half had a number of scoring opportunities for both teams. They were aggressive and physical and the referee called a number of penalties.
Tyee earned its first goal at the 21:25 mark, midway through the first half. Freddi Altamirano went right at the opposing goalkeeper, one on one, and put it in. The Tyee crowd went wild.
The second half was pretty much the same, a hard fought competitive game by both teams. There were scoring opportunities for both teams, and with 34 seconds to go in the game, Tyee scored its second goal.
Tyee’s Enrique Navarro took a 45 yard shot which flew perfectly into the upper right corner of the goal. As I stood on the field with my camera, I had a perfect angle for watching the ball sail through the air. Because the shot was from so far out, it seemed as if it was in slow motion.
The Franklin Pierce goalkeeper scrambled to get into defensive position, to protect his goal, but to no avail; the ball sailed over his outstretched arm. (See photo in slideshow gallery) That was the final nail in the coffin for Franklin Pierce.
After the game, I wanted to talk to the luckiest guy on the field, Enrique Navarro. As Enrique was coming over for an interview, a teammate shouted, “Just tell him it was luck!” Well, I’ve always told my own boys, “I’d rather be lucky than good.” It seems Enrique is good AND lucky, not a bad combination.
“It was intended to be a shot, but also it was my intention to get it out of the way and make the game more secure”, said sophomore Enrique. “It was a miracle - I don't know how I did it. I was really amazed; I thought somebody was just looking out for me, scored that goal for me.”
Coach Rider commented on his team’s effort. “Enrique's goal was amazing, and Freddie timing that run and getting on the backside. We had a few big defensive plays, big clears. My keeper (Carlos Reyes) came up big on two huge plays. Honestly, any game that we play, well, the guys are smiling afterwards -- win or lose it’s kind of a highlight for me.”
I asked Coach Rider whether anyone stood out defensively tonight. “José Navarro, he's my center back,” he said. “We brought him in from the outside to hold down that center back. He's been a big part of the senior leadership and defensive leadership back there. Personally, I feel that his little brother that scored a goal, Enrique, and John Macias feel confident when he is there and it pushes them to be better so he doesn't have to come in and save them. John's my smallest defender and he was taking on one of their biggest forwards. He had a big guy on his back the whole time and he was handling him well.”
Tyee is now one of the elite final four teams. Their next match is a semi-final game against Sedro-Woolley on Friday, May 24 at 6:00 pm at Sunset Chev Stadium, in Sumner.
Following that game will be the semi-final game between Ridgefield and Cheney who play at 8:00 pm. No matter who wins or loses, all four teams will play again on Saturday.
The consolation game to determine 3rd and 4th place is at 12 pm, and the State 2A Championship Game will be played at 4 pm on Saturday, May 25, also at Sunset Chev Stadium, in Sumner.
The State 2A Boys Soccer Championship Game will be played at 4 pm on Saturday, May 25, at Sunset Chev Stadium, in Sumner. The consolation game to determine 3rd and 4th place will be played at 12 noon, also on the 25th.
To view the WIAA 2A Boys Soccer bracket go to: http://www.wiaa.com/Brackets/T266.pdf
