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Lynnwood stops long losing streak

Herald staff

LYNNWOOD - The streak is dead, long live the streak.

The Lynnwood Royals put a stop to a losing skein of at least 26 games with an emotion-charged 3-2 victory over the Mountlake Terrace Hawks in the Western Conference South Division season opening girls soccer game for both teams Tuesday.

"I don't think the girls will sleep too well tonight," first-year Lynnwood coach Daghan Kasim said. "My tryouts are called marine training because they work so hard. After the game they were all crying because they know it was worth it."

Last year Lynnwood was outscored 82-5, said Kasim.

Amanda Overdick scored goals for Lynnwood in the 21st and 70th minute with assists from Adriana Moya and Lauren Jacobsen, respectively. Defender Rochelle Hahn punched in the game winner in the 78th minute with an assist from Christina Mah.

"Christina made an amazing cross," Kasim said. "We made some decoy runs before Rochelle came in and finished it."

A key for the Royals was the antics of Moya, an attacking midfielder. "(Moya) did an amazing job of controlling the ball and playmaking," Kasim said. "Mountlake Terrace is a very strong, very fast team. All credit to them."

Lynnwood goalkeeper Jessy Hernandez had four critical saves, said Kasim.

At Lynnwood H.S.

Goals M. Terrace: Not reported. Lynnwood Overdick (2), Hahn. Assists M. Terrrace: Not reported. Lynnwood: Moya, Jacobsen, Mah. Records Lynnwood 1-0 division and overall. M. Terrace 0-1.

By David Pan
Enterprise sports editor

 

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Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW Lynnwood senior goalkeeper Jessy Hernandez slides for a save during a Sep. 10 practice at Lynnwood High School.

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Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW Lynnwood's Amanda Overkick, who scored two goals in the Royals' season-opening 4-3 victory over Mountlake Terrace, winds up to kick the ball during at practice.

LYNNWOOD

The Lynnwood girls soccer team experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat during its first week of play.

The Royals snapped a losing streak that stretched back two seasons with a 3-2 victory over district rival Mountlake Terrace in both teams' league opener on Sept. 4.

Two days later, the Royals were pummeled 10-1 by Kamiak.

The loss prompted a pledge by first-year coach Daghan Kesim and his players to forge ahead and not concern themselves with the past.

"From now on, we decided to basically focus on the future and not worry about last week even with the win or the loss," said Kesim, who led the Cascade boys soccer team to a third-place finish at the Class 4A state tournament. "We're going to move on. We want a lot more wins this season. We want to surprise a lot of these teams.

"If you're not consistent, a win doesn't mean anything to you."

Kesim already senses a different attitude toward the Lynnwood program. The numbers turning out for the team have increased. For the first time, Kesim moved some players up from junior varsity. Previously, there weren't enough numbers to support both the varsity and junior varsity squads.

Lynnwood faces a formidable challenge competing in the mostly 4A Western Conference South Division. Not only are the Royals a 3A team, but most of their players have no club experience.

What Lynnwood does have is a commitment to each other and desire to move the program in a new direction. The season-opening victory was a result of these two factors.

"We were in it for each other," said senior goalkeeper Jessy Hernandez. "We were ready to start a new season with each other and start in a new way."

The preseason practices were very demanding. Hernandez admitted she wasn't sure if everyone would be able to make it through.

Junior midfielder Jerrica Kang said the Royals are starting to reap some of the benefits.

"We've all been working really hard to come out and compete against all the other schools," Kang said. "I think that's it's really starting to show. ... We're out here to win."

Kesim's Cascade team scored a ton of goals from set plays and he's brought the same ideas to Lynnwood. The Royals already have scored two goals from set plays.

"Set plays are going to be our big advantage," Kesim said.

The play of the midfield also will be critical to the Royals' success. Key players there included junior Becka Magnenat, junior Adriana Moya, sophomore Sarah Reeves and Kang.

Junior forward Amanda Overdick scored two goals and junior midfielder Rochelle Hahn scored what turned out to be the winning goal against Mountlake Terrace.

"We're hungry," Hernandez said. "We don't want to settle this year. We really want to push ourselves to the limit."

Published: Friday, September 21, 2007

Lynnwood 7, Mariner 0: At Everett, Amanda Overdick had a hat trick and Christina Mah had two goals and an assist as the Royals beat the Marauders in the Wesco South game. Lynnwood also got single goals from Becka Magnenat and Rochelle Hann, who also added three assists. Jessy Hernandez earned the shutout in goal for the Royals.

At Mariner H.S.

Goals—Lynnwood: Overdick 3, Mah 2, Magnenat, Hann. Assists—Lynnwood: Hann 3, Hernandez, Mah, Van Duin. Goalkeepers—Lynnwood:Hernandez. Mariner: Carter. Records—Lynnwood 2-5 in league and overall. Mariner 0-4, 0-4