Skyview’s season might’ve ended Saturday in a 3-0 loss to Issaquah in the Class 4A girls soccer state quarterfinals, but players believe the defeat is just the beginning.
The beginning of what’s next for Skyview girls soccer. That’s why among the emotional faces exiting the locker room at Kiggins Bowl on Saturday night, some smiles also emerged.
“We’ve built our way up so much,” senior Scottie Crooke said, “that it’ll keep going.”
Skyview is set to graduate just five seniors off a team that made its first state tournament appearance since the program placed fourth at state in 2010. For seniors like Crooks, to see how far the program has come in three short years is a memory she’ll cherish. Her freshman season, Skyview went 5-12-3.
This year’s Skyview team finished 13-2-3 and reached 4A’s final eight.
Crooks praised the program’s growth to get past the bi-district tournament and earn the program’s sixth state berth in school history.
“We’re all happy to know how far we’ve come,” she said.
As a No. 5 seed, Skyview made sure to not overlook the No. 13-seeded Eagles despite their seed and nine losses. head coach Matt Houghton made sure to not overlook the No. 13 seed Eagles, despite their seed and nine losses. That’s because Issaquah (12-9-2) is a playoff-rich program with eight state trophies since 2012, including four state championship game appearances over the past nine seasons.
The style of play by Issaquah, out of the KingCo Conference, set the Eagles apart, Storm defender Suki Mohammadi said.
“I feel like their midfield and passing is just really at a high level,” she said. … “You don’t see that much around here.”
For much of Saturday, Skyview held Issaquah in check. A goal off a corner by Molly Fordham in the 18th minute held up through the final five minutes of regulation, when the Eagles scored twice. A second goal by Fordham in stoppage time made it 3-0.
Before the final two goals came a trio of saves by Storm goalkeeper Brynnlee Williams, and two close-range opportunities over a 15-minute span on shots by Reese Harrison stopped by Issaquah goalkeeper Gabrielle Maker.
Despite the season-ending defeat, players like Mohammadi are celebrating the 2024 season, but also looking ahead to 2025.
“Sadly, we lose our seniors,” Mohammadi said, “but we’ll keep continuing this legacy.”
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Class 4A state quarterfinal
At Kiggins Bowl
ISSAQUAH 3, SKYVIEW 0
Issaquah
Goals — Molly Fordham (2), Emma Hensley
Skyview
Goalkeeper saves — Brynnlee Williams 3
Halftime — Issaquah 1-0
