It took 80 minutes of defense, and one timely, clutch goal late in the second half, but the Skyview girls soccer team can proclaim it is the best in the program’s history.
And the journey will continue, as well.
Sheaffer Skadsen scored off an assist from Brittany Wilson in the match’s 69th minute Wednesday at Kiggins Bowl, and the Storm defense did the rest in a 1-0 victory over Eastlake of Sammamish in the first round of the Class 4A state girls soccer playoffs.
It is the first win in the state playoffs for the school, making its first appearance at state since 2002. Skyview will travel to take on Snohomish in the state quarterfinals Saturday.
“We’ve wanted this since the beginning, to be the team to do it,” Skadsen said. “We all knew we could do it, but to apply it and to get it done is just awesome.”
“It’s a huge honor to represent Skyview girls soccer,” freshman defender Emily Dobbin said. “We knew what our job was tonight, and we got it done. It’s a huge accomplishment for our school.”
The first job was to keep the Wolves from scoring. Skyview had more charges deep into opposing territory than Eastlake throughout much of the night, but Eastlake had two quality chances that were crushed by the last line of Skyview’s defense — goalkeeper Hannah Johnson.
She had to dive to her right to stop a one-time shot off the foot of Alexis Guches from about 10 yards out some 10 minutes into the second half. Then she made another crowd-pleasing save 15 minutes later.
“Hannah definitely kept us alive,” Skadsen said.
The Storm went on the attack soon after that last save.
Wilson, who was on the receiving end of a lot of physical contact throughout the match, kept her poise and won a battle for the ball in midfield. Then she found Skadsen.
“She got me a beautiful ball,” Skadsen said. “I took my touch. I did my job. My job is to get the ball in the net, especially when I get a ball like that.”
Still, Skadsen looked surprised when the ball found the net with 11 minutes left in the match. She put her hand over her mouth, as if she could not believe it. Skyview was ahead 1-0 in the closing minutes of a state playoff match.
“I was just so excited,” Skadsen said.
“As we progress,” Dobbin explained, “every goal is more special.”
“We’re not going to have those 4-0 wins anymore,” Skadsen said. “To get that one goal was huge.”
In the first half, Eastlake keeper Emily Suter charged a ball late and collided with Wilson. Suter was whistled for a penalty and also was on the turf for about five minutes with an unknown injury.
Her replacement, Kate Zopolos, saved the free kick. Suter returned on the next stoppage, then made a stellar save on a shot from Wilson — Skyview’s best chance in the first half.
Most of the match was a defensive battle. Dobbin said the Storm benefitted from Eastlake’s own Web site, which featured video highlights of the soccer team.
“They have some You Tube videos we were watching. We wanted to see what we had to do to shut them down,” Dobbin said.
She said it was a little nerve-racking at first, the playoff intensity, the 0-0 game for so long.
“But once you’re out there with the teammates we have, it relaxes you,” she said. “The pressure’s off of you.”
After all, the Skyview Storm knew all along that this was their time, they knew this was their job.
And now, they have made Skyview history.
