Chances hurt by tie

By Dean Wong

A 0-0 tie game between Ballard and Redmond in girls soccer last Thursday hurt the Beaver's playoff chances with the season winding down. Two days earlier Ballard could not earn a victory in wild 6-6 shootout at Lake Washington on the road.

The tie games made the team's playoffs hopes more difficult. "We need to win the next five games," said head coach Val Seid, one day after the Woodinville game. The top six teams in the league will qualify for the post season.

Ballard has 1-2-3 record in the KingCo Conference. The first give games of the year were considered pre-season and did not count.

Ballard was in fourth place in the Mountain Division last week behind number one Redmond, followed by Woodinville and Roosevelt. The top six teams from both divisions combined qualify for the playoffs.

There were some strong individual performances in the Woodinville tie. Mikaela Winter scored four goals for the Beavers and teammate Sara Ives added two goals. Jordan Travis, Sydney Huggins and Jessica Nelson each had an assist. Winter contributed two assists.

Two weeks ago Seid praised his team.

"We have been doing pretty good. Out attack is much better. We play more like a team," said Seid.

In the pre-season games that did not count in league standings, the Beavers beat Juanita, Bothell and Redmond during that run. The tie was against Roosevelt.

Unlike previous years, when non-counting games were against teams from other leagues, all these opponents were from KingCo.

The 5-0 win over Redmond came against a top team in the Mountain Division.

Seid said the victory was unexpected. "The girls have come to realize they can compete with anyone now," he said.

A year ago, the team did not perform well in the second half of games, after falling behind.

In the 3-1 loss to Woodinville, the Cougars had up to 20 shots on Ballard's goal, compared to two shots for the Beavers in the first half.

When the clock started for the second half, Ballard turned it around, taking 20 shots compared to Woodinville's two.

"We are playing better in the second half of games. That has helped us out. The girls are not intimidated. It has made us stronger and it is hard for teams to blow us away," said Seid.

The Roosevelt game turned into a 2-2 tie for Ballard. Sophomore Sara Ives scored two goals in the Roosevelt overtime game. Her sister Lauren Ives assisted her both times.

Against Juanita, Winter and Jessica Nelson were credited with goals. Sara Ives and Lucy Miner had assists.

Lauren Ives had he lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Bothell. Miner assisted her. Goalkeepers Kristin Yeasting and Britta Humes combined for a shutout.

Winter scored again in the Woodinville game with an assist by Sarah Brink, but it was not enough to beat the Falcons in a 3-1 loss.

Sara Ives had two more goals in the lopsided win over Redmond 5-0. She was assisted by Miner and Winter. Ives returned the favor with a pass to Miner that was good for another goal. Goals by winter, assisted by Chelsea Fidler and an unassisted goal by Lauren Ives rounded out the scoring.

Dean Wong may be reached at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com