Lady Cruiser Soccer Season Ends
After defeating the North Mason Bulldogs last week in a loser out game in the district playoffs, the Cruisers would find themselves in another "do or die" game as the took on their rivals Orting. This time, the winner would earn a berth to the state tournament, while the loser’s season would be over.
The Cardinals came out strong and was able to put two balls into the back of the net in the first 15 minutes of the match to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Cruiser defense would not allow anymore goals as their offense tried it’s best to claw their way back into the game. With only about 3 minutes left in the match, the Cruiser’s Halle Noel was able to sneak a ball past the Cardinal goal keeper for Eatonville’s first score.
Trailing 2-1, the Cruisers did all they could to tie the game up and keep their season alive, but they weren’t able to get that tying goal and their season would come to a close.
“Orting got a couple of goals in the first 15 minutes which initially surprised us - but our girls fought hard the rest of the game and with a couple of minutes left Halle Noel gave us hope and we gave everything in the final two minutes to prevent the season from ending. Unfortunately we ran out of time but I am so proud of the fight they give. I always tell them to "Play Cruisers soccer" and to show other teams how Cruisers soccer plays. We may not have girls that play year round soccer like other teams but our girls have heart, and grit, and fight and that's how Cruisers soccer has been since I was on the team. ” said former Cruisers and first year head coach Machaela Swartout.
Swartout went on to talk about how fortunate she is to be coaching the team she once played on. “I am very fortunate to have stepped into this position and it still shocks me thinking that this team I played on and loved not too long ago is now my team as the head coach.”
The Cruisers finish the season with a 9-8-3 overall record.
Swartout is excited with the fact they are a young team and have a lot of talent coming up, “The fact that we are so young and talented is exciting to any head coach as well as knowing the promise that comes from the talent coming up from the middle school. We are sad to see Rylie Rahier, Cynthia Hunziker, and Anna Smith leave our program but are excited for them and their futures. I have learned a lot this year and am excited for all that will come from next year with this great team.”
