Two goals by freshman Simone White helped propel the South Whidbey High School soccer team to a 2-1 win at University Prep Saturday, Sept. 28.
The match had a “playoff type atmosphere,” according to coach Terry Swanson, as the Falcons faced a team that qualified for the state tournament in seven of the past nine years.
UPrep defeated South Whidbey last year and the Falcons knocked the Pumas out of the playoffs in 2017.
South Whidbey struggled early Saturday as University Prep “came out fast and applied a lot of defensive pressure,” Swanson said. The Falcons were also adjusting to the turf and a different lineup; several players were missing because of excused absences or injuries.
The Pumas scored early in the first half off a corner kick. A miscommunication gave Falcon keeper Nicole Helseth “no chance,” Swanson said.
Adjusting to the fast pace of play and applying pressure themselves, the Falcons began to take control midway through the opening period.
After the UPrep keeper turned back three hard shots by Mikenna Wicher, White finally drove through a goal off a long pass from Ashton Helseth.
The Falcons’ defensive pressure continued in the second half.
“First defenders were closing quickly and second and third defenders closed off easy passing outlets,” Swanson said.
“We were winning 50/50 balls and had several strong finishes on goal before Simone White scored the go-ahead goal dribbling past two defenders and shooting past the keeper.”
Late in the match, Nicole Helseth thwarted an excellent scoring opportunity for the Pumas to help South Whidbey hang on for the win.
“Overall, this was an important game for our team as we had several starting players (Alison Papritz and Sydney Ollis) out and our team adjusted and played strong possession soccer. UPrep is excellent program and we could face them again in the future.”
The Falcons (3-0, 6-0) play two big games this week. First they travel to Coupeville (0-3, 0-5-2) to face the rival Wolves at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, then comes a showdown for first place when King’s (3-0, 5-2) visits at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3.
