A third consecutive trip to the state playoffs and an unbeaten run through league play.
There was plenty in the 2024 season for the Mountain View girls soccer team to be proud of.
That season ended Wednesday at McKenzie Stadium with a 4-1 loss to University in the first round of the Class 3A state playoffs.
For first-year coach Aaron Tasker, the sting of Wednesday’s loss quickly gave way to pride as he reflected on the progress his team made.
After being outscored 26-3 in five losses to start the season, the Thunder regrouped to go 8-0 in 3A Greater St. Helens League play.
“This moment is difficult and it wasn’t how we expected to play tonight,” Tasker said. “But ultimately on the season, I couldn’t be prouder. The turnaround through the season just showed the grit they had.”
Mountain View (10-8-1) entered the state playoffs as the No. 16 seed, setting up a first-round match against No. 17 University (12-7-1). The Titans from Spokane were carried by junior forward Carsyn Gildehaus, who scored four goals including a first-half hat trick.
“I think we got caught ball-watching a little bit,” Tasker said. “She’s the type of player that she’s not just dangerous on the ball, but her movement off the ball.”
University advances to the Round of 16 and a Friday match against top-seeded Gig Harbor.
Mountain View’s seven seniors showed their leadership throughout the season. That team chemistry saw the Thunder not get demoralized after the season’s slow start.
After all, why hang your head when your teammates make soccer fun?
“We were like a sisterhood,” senior Lauren Adams said. “They really made you love playing soccer. The season was a big reset with a new coach. The girls really put it together. I was happy to be a part of that.”
Mountain View got its goal from leading scorer Teaghan Irvin with seven minutes left in the match. The junior, who has committed to Washington State, was proud to prove wrong anyone who doubted the Thunder.
“We graduated a big senior class, so people were looking at us and saying it’s just Mountain View,” Irvin said. “We came back and showed Mountain View still has a lot to prove. We’re going to keep going and keep building.”
