By VINCE RICHARDSON, Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, Wash. The Tribune Content Agency
SEDRO-WOOLLEY - The Sedro-Woolley High School girls' soccer team scored once Thursday in its Northwest Conference match against Meridian.
And Olivia Stroud's strike in the opening minutes of the match held up as the Cubs emerged with a 1-0 victory.
"Meridian surprised us and took us out of our rhythm for a large part of the game," Sedro-Woolley coach Tyler Huggins said. "Kudos to them as they made it so the game was played on their terms and we never felt truly in control of the match."
The coach liked the play of Bailey Portugal-Manning at left wing as well as Stroud's effort.
"On top of scoring the game's only goal with a great near post finish, Olivia was a perpetual motion machine all game and a true joy to watch play," Huggins said.
FERNDALE - The Seahawks fell to the Golden Eagles in the Northwest Conference match.
Anacortes took the early 1-0 lead when Mailee Hilburn dribbled around several Ferndale defenders at the top of the 18-yard box before finding a window and delivering a shot just beyond the reach of the keeper.
The game was tied 1-1 at the half.
A defensive lapse by Anacortes would provide the Golden Eagles the game winner in the opening minutes of the second half.
The Seahawks outshot Ferndale 24-5.
"Sometimes, your own mistakes hurt big and an outstanding opponent's keeper changes the outcome of a match," Anacortes coach Gretchen Hanson said. "This was one of those matches."
Hanson highlighted the play of Layne Davis at defensive mid, right back Maddie Ward and attacking mid Charlotte Santos.
MOUNT VERNON - The Lions scored from distance in the 50th minute and it proved to be the difference in the Northwest Conference match.
"Fantastic goal from them," Mount Vernon coach Matt Youngsman said. "They deserved to win but we made this a very competitive game versus the best team in the conference.
"We've played our two best games this week and I'm confident that we'll finish the season strong."
Norah Pickering, and Janelle Fuentes anchored the Mount Vernon defense that kept the conference's highest scoring team to a single goal.
Blaine - The Tigers netted a pair of goals in each half in the Northwest Conference match.
"This was a good win for our team and a complete effort from everyone over the course of the entire game," Burlington-Edison coach Ryan Kuttel said. "The girls showed great determination, bouncing back from a loss earlier this week and dealing with a quick and feisty Blaine side."
Aliyah Vega scored twice in the first half, and Michelle Torres and Sydney Briggs scored in the seconds half.
Kira MacKay was in goal for the shutout for Burlington-Edison, which improves to 4-5-1 in conference and 5-5-1 overall.
BLAINE - The Tigers remained unbeaten in Northwest Conference play with the win over the Borderites.
Burlington-Edison cruised 25-19, 25-10, 25-7.
Lexie Mason had 12 kills for the Tigers, while Mia Whitlock had 12 kills and 12 digs, Mady Squibb six digs and Reese Tyler 27 assists.
SEDRO-WOOLLEY - The Trojans defeated the Cubs in the Northwest Conference 25-22, 16-25, 25-11, 25-15.
"This was a tough night for our serve receive and we had a hard time getting the ball to our setter," Sedro-Woolley coach Shawna Tesarik said. "We did well in the first and second set with blocking which helped our defense but then struggled in the later sets to get touches on the ball."
Sedro-Woolley's Ally Tesarik and Abby Gardner had 10 kills apiece, Nakiah O'Neil had seven kills, and Ruby Hudson 10 digs.
MOUNT VERNON - The Bulldogs were swept by the Lions in the Northwest Conference match.
"I think we played really well against Lynden and I'm proud of our team for competing and keeping all three sets close," Mount Vernon coach Danny Dang said. "Our setters did a great job distributing the ball."
Annie Zavala had 14 assists and 10 digs for the Bulldogs, while Ava Burton had 12 assists, 11 digs and nine kills, Andi Ware seven kills and Camryn Mueller 24 digs.
FERNDALE - The Seahawks managed to outlast the Golden Eagles in the Northwest Conference match 19-25, 26-24, 25-13, 23-25, 15-11.
"It was a really fun match to play," Anacortes coach Kelsey Swapp said. "I thought both teams played incredibly well defensively which made for some exciting rallies."
Tatum Swapp led the Seahawks with 21 kills, 14 digs and three aces, while Regan Hunt tallied 13 kills and 14 digs, Margaret Foote 10 kills and four blocks, Jenna Baker 17 digs and three aces, and Leah Andrew 39 assists.
DARRINGTON - The Braves won the Northwest 2B/1B League match 25-20, 22-25, 25-8, 25-16 to improve to 5-1 in league and 6-3 overall.
Braves coach Pam Keller said her said her squad played a cohesive match, highlighting the 17 aces it tallied.
"Abi Poulton did a great job getting touches on the block," Keller said. "Addison Keller was super-solid on serve/receive."
Nora McCormick finished with 11 kills, nine assists and 11 digs for La Conner, while Keller had 16 digs and six aces, Reese Bird 11 assists, eight kills and nine digs, and Poulton four kills, an ace and three blocks.
BELLINGHAM - The Lions swept the Blackhawks in the nonconference match 25-13, 25-7, 25-11.
"Despite a poor serving night, we played well in other areas, including offensive efficiency," Concrete coach Kevik Rensink said.
The Lions tallied 30 kills on 65 attempts, led by middle hitter Kelsey Edwards, who finished with 16 kills and three blocks.
Avery Collins recorded 18 assists, while Maddy Norris chipped in 10 assists and was 11-for-11 from the service line with three aces. Kayleigh Collins was 16-for-17 serving with four aces and on defense had 12 digs.
LYNDEN - Sedro-Woolley won a pair of doubles matches at the Northwest Conference contest.
Jordan Janicki and Colby Silvis won at No. 1 doubles 6-3, 6-4 (12-10), while Trey Gardner and Declan Harp won 6-1, 6-4 won at No. 2.
"Both of our doubles teams played well together to pull out wins," Sedro-Woolley coach Janine Van Liew said.
LA CONNER - The Braves got a goal apiece from Alex Dowrey, Kody Suit and Christian Fix as they defeated the Eagles in the nonleague match.
La Conner is 2-5-1.