Aimee Kurfurst’s hat trick carried the Prairie girls soccer team to a 3-0 victory over visiting Yelm on Saturday and into the 3A state tournament.
After 24 minutes of back-and-forth action, Kurfurst netted a left-footed strike from about eight yards out to put Prairie on the board. While one goal was all the team would need, Kurfurst would score twice more in the second half.
“Aimee is our go to player. She’s got that attacking mentality, she wants to score,” coach Michael Thyron said. “That first goal is always so important. We like our odds when we can get that first goal, and it allowed us to relax a little bit more.”
However, even with several opportunities that failed to find the back of the net, the Prairie 1-0 advantage was all the team had at halftime.
Kurfurst knew the game was far from over: “We need to keep up the intensity. We can’t let them back in the game.”
Even after Kurfurst’s second goal, the persistence and tenacity remained.
“This is great, we’re ahead but we have to stay focused,” Kurfurst said. “We have to keep an eye on the fact that they’re running at us hard, they’re not giving up and there’s still 10 minutes left.”
Four minutes later, Kurfurst netted her hat trick and sealed the victory.
Prairie goalkeeper Megan Sawyer wasn’t tested much but was able to record the shutout. Her lone save came on a Yelm free kick from midfield that was handled easily.
Kaylin Sperley had several opportunities of her own. While most of her shots were taken from 20 yards out, several nearly found the upper corner.
In the 65th minute, Kendal Spencer hit the crossbar on a 35-yard free kick.
With their eyes set on advancing further into playoffs, Sawyer knows this senior-laden group has no end in sight.
This is the first time in Prairie school history the girls soccer team has advanced to the state playoffs in back-to-back years.
“I personally believe we can make it to the top four,” Sawyer said. “But we have to want it. Everyone has to want it.”
