Cruisers Show Grit and Growth in Hard-Fought Battle Against Fife

The Eatonville Cruiser girls’ soccer team showed just how far they’ve come this season in a determined and hard-fought 3–0 loss to the powerhouse Fife Trojans on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Fife High School.

Eatonville keeper Savannah McCandless stops a shot on goal in a match from earlier in the season. McCandless had one of her best performances of the season against Fife. Photo: Heather Quirie

Facing one of the top teams in the league, Eatonville (1-6, 1-4 league) entered the match with renewed energy and focus, eager to prove that their earlier 8–0 defeat to the Trojans was a thing of the past. From the opening whistle, the Cruisers demonstrated marked improvement across the field — especially on defense and in goal — showing grit, teamwork, and resilience against a deep and talented Fife squad now sitting at 9-1 overall and 8-0 in league play.

Eatonville goalkeeper Savannah McCandless delivered a stellar performance between the posts, turning away a barrage of Fife shots throughout the first half. Her quick reflexes, aggressive positioning, and fearless play kept the Trojans frustrated, and the Cruisers within striking distance. McCandless recorded 14 saves in the first 40 minutes alone, limiting Fife to just two goals before halftime.

In the second half, Eatonville continued to show growth and confidence. The Cruisers found more rhythm in their passing game, holding their own in the midfield and pushing the pace to create several offensive chances. Their persistence led to a handful of quality looks on goal, forcing the Fife defense to stay alert.

Despite the strong effort, the Trojans managed to add one final goal late in the match to seal the 3–0 win. McCandless closed out her night with another 12 saves in the second half, bringing her total to 26 on the evening — one of the best single-game performances of the season for Eatonville.

The result may not have gone in the Cruisers’ favor, but the improvement was unmistakable. The team’s organization, hustle, and heart were evident throughout the match, signaling a turning point as they move into the final stretch of the season.

Eatonville will look to snap a three-game skid when they return home to host the Washington Patriots on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 3 p.m. The Cruisers will then hit the road the following night, traveling to Lakewood to take on the Clover Park Timberwolves at Harry Lang Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m.