On a recent afternoon inside a classroom at the O’Connell Sports Center, the Clark College women’s soccer team has gathered to watch a game that will determine who the Penguins face in the playoffs.
While Clark last played one week prior, Spokane and Skagit Valley do not have the same luxury. They’ve drawn a Northwest Athletic Conference regional game, with the winner earning a trip to Vancouver to play the Penguins on Saturday, just three days later.
At halftime, Clark head coach Peter Pickett gives the team an assignment. The players split up into four groups, two each representing Spokane and Skagit Valley. They’re tasked with figuring out a plan for that team should they advance, including the formation the Penguins prefer to run against them, how they want to defend and lastly, what are some ways Clark can attack their opponent?
When the players return to share their answers, it turns out most of them are thinking the same thing. Pickett and assistant coach Kayla Beard continue jotting down ideas on whiteboards as the second half gets underway, still scoreless. If the game goes to overtime, Pickett tells the players they’re free to leave, but many ask if they can stay to see how the game finishes. In the end, Skagit Valley advanced past Spokane on penalty kicks, setting up Saturday’s 5 p.m. game at Harmony Sports Complex.