By Gerardo Bolong
Juliet Anawalt’s alert defensive steal in the first 24 seconds of the second five-minute overtime period sent the West Seattle Wildcat girls past the ever dangerous Holy Names Academy in a 2-1 win that earned the Westsiders a District II No. 3 seed out of the 3A Metro League into a first round state playoff game.
“The girls competed for a full 80 minutes,” said Wildcat head coach Todd Veenhuizen. “There was lot of pressure in the second half. I talked about working for opportunities and taking advantage of them. There was great defensive effort 
The Tues, Oct. 30, game at Chief Sealth International High School featured the Wildcats winging toward goal opportunities within the first three minutes before the Cougars roared back to nearly score.
HNA used some fine outside runs to open up the middle while WS was unable to create much firepower from the midfield.
Field control swung to Holy Names, but in the 33rd minute West Seattle began pushing a little harder, although there was no scoring by halftime.
Being extended greatly on defense, the Wildcats fended off the prowling Cougars until junior Lilly Bedell scored.
“I chested the ball, turned and shot with my left foot,” Bedell said.
As the game became more physical, Holy Names revived its potent offense to score off a corner kick when a header from the scrum in front of goal was initially grabbed with two hands by keeper Lexi Foster, but slipped off and through her legs in the 73rd minute.
The waning minutes featured the Cougars firing away against a valiant Wildcat defense until the 1-1 tie in regulation was achieved.
With no scoring in the first five-minute sudden death overtime, the stage was set for Anawalt’s steal and game ending score.
“It was bad pass off the back line," said Anawalt. “I just intercepted, dribbled and shot.”
Players for the 12-2-1 Wildcats are Lexi Foster, Lilli Bedell, Melody Potratz, Chloe Simmons, Jessica Stone, Ella Wodrich, Daniella Colbert, Sabrina Merkin, Emma Foulk, Ally Veenhuizen, Naomi Kuhn, Braedon Swanson, Mary Frampton, Taylor Gonzales, Marissa Rackner, Aliya Couillard, and Julie Anawalt.
Coach Veenhuizen’s assistant coach is Timber Hirano. Rhonda Gonzales is the team manager.