If the preseason is any indication, the Sammamish Totems girls soccer team might think about moving to the Kingco 4A Conference.
That’s because Sammamish – which returns 17 players with varsity experience – is 3-0 so far this season in non-conference play, with all three wins coming against teams from the 4A ranks of the KingCo Conference.
After losing only one senior – midfielder Claire Wolf – from last year’s 5-10-1 team, the Totems have started off this season on a roll, with victories over Newport, Ballard and Woodinville.
“Getting confidence in the preseason is always crucial,” said Sammamish coach Karsten Hoffman. “We have 17 experienced players back this season and that’s a huge plus for any coach.”
The Totems (3-0) began the season with back-to-back home shutouts over Newport and Ballard, defeating each team 1-0. Junior midfielder Allie Buchwalter scored both goals in those victories, and goalkeepers Holly Hunt and Kyra Lindstrom combined in net both games to share in the shutout.
“We have a really strong defense this season,” said senior defender Shannon Scott, Sammamish’s leading scorer last season with six goals. “The fact that our defense can trust both goalies equally is huge, because they split playing time.”
The Totems followed up those wins with a 2-1 victory over Woodinville at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell. After Heather Thomas opened up the scoring for the Falcons (1-1), Anna Geldenhuys scored an unassisted goal in the 43rd minute to tie things up.
Scott later scored on a penalty kick to win the game for Sammamish.
“It’s really all about decision making,” Hoffman said. “All the players on our team know what to do with the ball on the field. They do all the little things and that’s what helps us.”
After taking on Bothell, another 4A team Tuesday (scores were not available at Reporter deadline), Sammamish begins league play Thursday with a game against Interlake.
“We just need to keep our focus up,” Scott said. “These games were definitely a confidence booster, but we just need to keep it up.”
OTHER SCORES
9/13
Seattle Christian 2, Bellevue Christian 0
Terrika Weaver and Sara Tripoli each scored unassisted goals, helping Seattle Christian (1-1-1) defeat Bellevue Christian (0-2-0).
Hannah Kane picked up the shutout for Seattle Christian.
Newport 2, Garfield 0
Katie O’Neill and Mary Carr scored second-half goals for Newport (1-2-0) as the Knights defeated Garfield (0-1-0) at the Southwest Athletic Complex in Tukwila.
Aris Coover and Lauren Knapp combined for the shutout for Newport.
Bellevue 2, Ballard 2
Kaitlyn Jackson and Alli Cahill scored goals for Bellevue but Sara Ives scored her second goal of the game on a penalty kick to help Ballard (1-1-1) tie Bellevue (0-1-2) at Chief Sealth High School.
9/11
Interlake 1, Sultan 0
Sarah Anderegg scored an unassisted goal in the 64th minute to push Interlake over Sultan (0-1).
Brenda Agus got the shutout in goal for the Saints (2-1-0).
Joel Willits can be reached at 425-453-5045 or at jwillits@bellevuereporter.com.
