09/12/2022
The Sumner Spartans girls soccer program is off to a fast 2-0 start, and look to stay unbeaten in the early 2022 season as they host the Union Titans in a non-conference tilt on Tuesday. Long-time Spartans head coach Robi Turley is in her 18th season at the helm and the Spartans this season are aiming for to qualify for the WIAA state tournament for the 14th year in a row.
The Spartans are a talented team with 11 returning varsity players, 2 seniors and 6 newcomers. Sumner has been very stout defensively through two contests, earning two clean sheets in a 1-0 win over last seasons NPSL champions Tahoma on a goal from Ari Hill, and a 1-0 win over North Creek on a goal by Taylie Nowels.
Players to watch for the Spartans include Junior defender Camryn Brown, who is a a 2-time 1st team all league and Tacoma News Tribune all area defender. Coach Turley tells ESN that she is a great leader and general in the back who anchors the Sumner defense.
Freshman Kennedy Jackson is the starting goalkeeper who has made some clutch saves to earn the two shutout victories.
Offensively, Ari Hill is a junior forward who is a scoring threat for the Spartans, scoring the opening goal of the season for Sumner against Tahoma.
On the other side, Union of the 4A Greater St. Helens league has a very strong girls soccer tradition as well, as they are currently 2-0-1 on the young season and are lead by Metro State University Colorado commit Maya Woods. The Senior forward can score goals but can also distribute the ball to her teammates, like an assist to O’hu Miles in a 2-0 win over Columbia River on Sept. 2.
Another player to watch for the Titans is junior goalkeeper Stephanie Leckwold, who had 6 saves in the shutout over Columbia River.
Alex Benzegala and Paul Beattie will be broadcasting the game from Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner, coverage starts at 5:45 pm, kickoff at 6 pm on the Eli Sports Network and NFHS. link for the broadcast found below.
