The men’s and women’s soccer teams won their first round playoff matchups, while volleyball aims to bounce back in its regular season finale at home.
The women’s soccer team beat North Idaho at Starfire 1-0 on Saturday, to advance to the NWAC semifinals.
“We knew that if we wanted to move onto the final four, we were going to have to put everything we had into that game. Everyone was focused and ready to battle,” said midfielder Abby Carmel.
The only score of the game came from forward Meredith Udovich in the 84th minute, off a pass from forward Myka Carr. Udovich, who was named West Region MVP on Monday, passed by a couple of defenders, moved toward the middle, and launched her shot in the bottom corner of the net.
Udovich led the NWAC in assists with 17 and was fourth in goals with eight.
The Lady T-Birds face Clark in the NWAC semifinals at Starfire stadium in Tukwila on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Clark finished the season at 13-0-0, as South Region champions. They gave up only two goals all year, including one in a 3-1 quarterfinal victory over Skagit Valley last Saturday. Clark is led by South Region MVP Kelly Huskic, who was second in the NWAC in both goals and assists.
“In order to beat Clark on Friday, we are going to have to dig deeper than we have all season. The stakes are getting higher and everything is on the line,” said Carmel.
“We gotta stay focused, key in on details, have determination, and eliminate unnecessary mistakes in order to win it all,” said Head Coach Tom Moore, who was named West Region coach of the year on Monday.
If Highline beats Clark, they will face the winner of Saturday’s other semifinal match, Columbia Basin vs. Peninsula, on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. at Starfire. All four sides in the final four were region champions this year.
The men’s soccer team defeated Columbia Basin 2-1 in a double overtime thriller on Saturday.
“I think Highline will make it to the final four even though they finished second in the West,” said Chemeketa Head Coach Jose Campos.
Against Columbia Basin, midfielder Jose Villa scored a goal in the fourth minute. Both teams went scoreless until Columbia Basin forward Johnny Ramirez scored a goal in the 49th minute, tying the match 1-1. Midfielder David Avila sent the T-Birds to the semifinals with a goal in the 110th minute, off a pass from forward Alex Velasco.
Both teams played a very physical match, combining for 10 yellow cards.
The T-Birds take on Rogue at Starfire this Friday, with game time at 11 a.m. Rogue finished the season at 6-2-2, good for second place in the South Region. They beat top-ranked Peninsula 2-1 in a quarterfinal match last Saturday.
If Highline runs down Rogue, they will face the winner of Saturday’s other semifinal featuring Whatcom and Tacoma. Game time will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Starfire.
The Highline women’s volleyball team is 9-2 after beating South Puget Sound on Wednesday 3-0 and losing to Pierce 3-0 on Friday.
“We controlled our side of the court with great passing and effective hitting,” said Head Coach Chris Littleman
The Lady T-Birds beat the Clippers in the first set 25-18, they won the second set 25-18, and finished the game in three sets with a 25-16 victory in the third set.
Outside hitter Bethany Tuchardt led the team with 16 kills on a 53.8 kill percentage, and middle hitter Kylie Lunday had 13 kills on a 66.7 kill percentage.
The team lost to 3-0 Pierce on Friday. The Lady T-Birds lost the first set 25-17, were defeated in the second 25-21, and lost the third and final set 25-20. Bethany Tuchardt had nine kills on a 17.9 kill percentage.
Pierce has had Highline’s number this season, beating them in both their matchups.
“They played really well against us and we played below average,” said Coach Littleman.
The team plays its regular season finale against Lower Columbia on Wednesday, Nov. 10 in the Pavilion at 6 p.m.
“We just need to control our side of the court,” said Littleman.
Regardless of the outcome, Highline will play this Saturday at 10 a.m. in the first round of the NWAC tournament. They will face Rogue, the South Region, No. 3 team, with the winner advancing to meet the winner of Bellevue v. Spokane on Sunday.