Vikings edge Wolves in league showdown

In a key early-season match-up of two undefeated teams, North Kitsap managed to edge the host Sequim Wolves 3-2 on Sept. 21.

“NK is one of the top teams, so we knew we needed to defend our home field and the girls came out fired up and in a good mental space going into the game,” Sequim coach Ken Garling said.

“We wanted to maximize our possession of the ball and give ourselves chances because we feel like we match up with them pretty well.”

The Vikings scored first.

“Their striker up top is skilled and she created a little bit of half space, turned and shot and just beyond [goalkeeper] Kali [Grove’s] finger tips,” Garling said.

Nikoline Updike leveled the match at 1-all, scoring off of a Raimey Brewer assist in the 15th minute. North Kitsap answered quickly, however, pulling ahead once more in the 17th minute.

“The girls battled back and forth, it was truly an exciting game to watch,” Garling said.

Sequim knotted the score at 2-2, Garling noted, when Gomez saw an opportunity to press high on their outside left back, gaining possession and putting a shot on goal that Taryn Johnson tapped in.

“Jenny Gomez, she’s such a force up there,” Garling said.

The score remained tied through halftime and into the 53rd minute of the match, when the Vikings lofted a shot from 30 yards out that found the net.

“We created chances and tried to battle our way back in it,” Garling said.

“Taryn and Sasha Yada had a couple of good looks, Nikoline had one and it felt like we were building toward another goal. It was one of those games where if we had another 5 to 10 minutes I think we would have tied it up.

“The girls were exhausted but encouraged and happy they held their own.”

“This game gave us confidence in where we stand against the top teams and we are excited for the opportunity to play them. This year’s team is in the mindset that we might bend a little bit but we won’t break. Saw that last night, the girls didn’t give up, they kept fighting back.”

Johnson tallies double hat trick in victory

The Sequim soccer team got another huge game from Johnson and great defense as the Wolves crushed Olympic on the road 7-1 on Sept. 19.

Johnson scored six goals in the victory — that effort coming after a five-goal game on Sept. 12 against North Mason.

“We wanted to establish possession early and we wanted to score early,” Garling said.

“We accomplished all of those things. We defended really well and were dangerous in transition.”

The Wolves’ other goal came from Updike, who hit a one-timer from 25 yards out and into the net.

Brewer and Eve Breithaupt each had a pair of assists, while Gomez and Olive Bridge each had an assist. Kalli Grove picked up the victory in goal.

Garling said in addition to being a “scoring machine” for the Wolves with 11 goals in two games, Johnson provides a lot of leadership to the team.

“She encourages the other girls,” Garling said. “She leads by example. She gets everyone involved. The girls want to be on the pitch with her, they want to play with her.”

Garling added that Gomez had a strong game controlling the midfield opening up the field for Johnson’s goal-scoring. He also said Libby Turella, Ivy Barrett and Kaia Lestage played well in the back on defense.

Looking ahead

Sequim was scheduled to host 3A Bainbridge on Sept. 26; results were not available at press time.

Sequim plays at Bremerton on Sept. 28 and hosts the Kingston Buccaneers on Oct. 3, following that with a pair of away dates: Oct. 5 at North Mason and Oct. 10 at Port Angeles.

Sequim Gazette photos by Emily Matthiessen Sequim’s Kaia Lestage, right, keeps the ball away from North Kitsap’s Azul Zuniga in an Olympic League showdown with North Kitsap on Sept. 21.