Austin Horner plans to study biochemistry in college. Evan Laws will focus on biomedical engineering.
But for one more weekend the Skyview seniors will focus their energy and chemistry on competitive soccer, trying to do their part to engineer a second state title for the Storm. Horner, at center back, and Laws as the goalkeeper provide a veteran backbone for a team that has lost only once this season.
The Storm play at 6 p.m. Friday against Ferris of Spokane at Sparks Stadium in Tacoma. Win that and they will play for another Class 4A state championship at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Playing together for three seasons at Skyview, and last season on a Columbia Timbers team that won a club soccer state title, Laws and Horner have the kind of understanding that many successful defenses are built upon.
“We know a lot about each other and what we’re thinking without having to necessarily say it, even though I do express my opinion a lot loudly during the games,” Laws said. “It’s been a real treat to have (Horner) as a center back.”
Laws, Horner and Carter Johnson — the two-time state Gatorade Player of the Year who has 26 goals and seven assists this season — all started in the 2012 state finals. A few other current Skyview players saw action during that playoff run to a state title.
Skyview coach Jenn Johnson said the leadership — both by example and vocally — from Laws, Horner and Johnson has allowed less experienced teammates to grow into important contributors. It is a process Horner and Laws understand well.
Horner was a forward for the championship team and a central midfielder as a junior – experience that helped the shift to defense this season.
“I see the field a lot better,” Horner said. “I was used to quick, tight play (in midfield). Now that I have more space I can see the whole field.”
He also knows where the midfielders are supposed to be, which means Horner knows where the ball needs to go. The urge to join the attack is still there, and when the opportunity presents itself, Horner said he knows Laws has his back.
“When I need to get up the field, I know that I have Evan back there as a strong force to hold the back line together,” Horner said. “It takes some of the weight off my shoulders knowing that we have a good keeper back there to cover our butts.”
Two years ago, Laws was still new to goalkeeping when he was in net for the Storm’s first state title. He had shifted to the position as a freshman because he wasn’t good enough to make the team as a field player. He played junior varsity as a freshman, and has been the varsity keeper for three seasons.
He is more involved in the game and the team than in previous seasons. And his voice carries weight.
“Talking has been the biggest thing for me this season. In earlier years I wasn’t too good with my communication,” Laws said. “But this year playing club (soccer) I was forced to talk by my club coach and it really helped me grow as a keeper.”
A year from now, Laws plans to be at the University of Washington, Horner at Washington State in Pullman.
They will take their growth in another direction.This weekend — win or lose — will be their last two competitive soccer games.
They aren’t taking the opportunity for granted.
“We kind of have to take two years ago worth a grain of salt,” Horner said. “We can’t go in there cocky or expecting that it’s going to be the same as it was two years ago.”
