HS Girls Soccer : AB Murphy slips past Elma, Sea Academy and Monte duel to a tie

(9-9-2023) Montesano, WA

On Saturday Jack Rottle Field in Montesano played host to some of the best in 1A girls soccer last year. With the Elma Eagles who go to the first round and a rematch of last years 3rd place match between Seattle Academy and Montesano and then there is 2A Archbishop Murphy who won the State title in 2021.

Game 1: Archbishop Murphy 1 Elma 0

Archbishop Murphy came out in attack mode on offense gets several shots off in the first few minutes of the match with Chloe McCoy and Blakelyn McMullen running the show from the midfield of the Wildcats. It was in the 9th minute when junior forward Kylie Hendry got on the end of a cross and put AB Murphy up 1-0.

The Eagles defense held strong held down by Diana Guzman and defensive midfielder Aaleigha Weld but the stellar keeper play from Emmie Spencer is what really kept this game in check ESN had her for 14 saves. Her play was so good in fact when the final whistle blew the first person to shake her hand was the opposing head coach as she walked off the field.

Archbishop Murphy is now 3-0 and plays at Cascade (Everett) on 9/12. Elma is now 2-1 and plays at Aberdeen on 9/12

Kylie Hendry’s Goal

Back to Back Saves By Emmie Spencer

Photo Gallery

Game 2: Montesano 1 Seattle Academy 1

These 2 teams played each other for 3rd place last year at the State Tournament with Seattle Academy winning 3-0 but it is a new year and new teams for both the Bulldogs and Cardinals.

Seattle Academy possessed the ball slightly more early on but could not find the timing and got several offsides calls. The speed of Sabra Gee-Smith and tenacious play of Isla McNae led the Cardinals. The hydration break in the first half seemed to ignite the Bulldog offense and get them on the same page. Gonzaga commit Mikayla Stanfield turned up the heat and Addison Potts showed off her high motor for Montesano. It is that high motor that put Potts in position to jump in front of a clearance by the Seattle Academy Keeper and put Montesano up 1-0 moments before the halftime whistle blew.

In the 2nd half the majority of play seemed to be in the middle of the field as these teams were very evenly matched. Seattle Academy freshman forward Maddie Maves took the reigns in the 52 minute hitting the equalizing goal from well outside of the 18 yard box. That was the last goal in regulation.

The game officially ended as a 1-1 tie. However, both coaches decided to press on with 2 golden goal OT’s and a shootout that Montesano came away with the win. Only 1 official stayed behind to officiate indicating the additional play did not count toward the official match which ended in a 1-1 tie.