It was a stunner.
For the first time in over a decade, the South Whidbey High School soccer team defeated King’s, knocking off the defending state champions 2-0 Wednesday, Oct. 17, in Langley.
Since 2009, the Knights beat South Whidbey 19 consecutive times while outscoring the Falcons 110-3. The stats might be worse, but that is as far back as coach Terry Swanson’s data goes.
The loss was King’s (9-1, 14-2) first this season since dropping its opener 1-0 to 3A Lakeside Sept. 1. It was also the Knights’ first conference loss.
South Whidbey’s upset “will be one of those indelible memories that each Falcon player will always cherish from their high school soccer experience,” Swanson said.
“These are the kind of games players talk about at their 20-year reunion with their old high school teammates. Last night was special for our players, coaches and parents.”
The win also avenged a 5-0 loss to King’s earlier this season.
South Whidbey (9-5-1) now heads to the playoffs with plenty of momentum.
The Falcons open district tournament play at No. 1 Northwest Conference seed Lynden Christian (9-5-2) at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22.
If the Falcons win, they will play for the district title against either King’s or Meridian (8-6-2) at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Sultan.
If they lose, they will play the winner of Cedar Park Christian (7-8) and Nooksack Valley (2-14) at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at Sultan.
“As we end the regular season and enter the playoffs, our team has accomplished a number of important goals this season,” Swanson said. “We have reduced our goal against from 63 last year to 15 this year, averaging one goal against per game, attesting to our commitment to team defense.
“Our record this season…is the first winning season by a Falcon girls soccer team in over decade.
“I have been most impressed with how our senior and junior players have mentored our freshmen and sophomore players.”
South Whidbey 2, King’s 0
Alison Papritz opened the scoring in the 18th minute, then Karyna Hezel beat the outside fullback to tally a goal at the 60-minute mark.
“Our players came out with confidence and played the game aggressively throughout the entire match,” Swanson said.
“Throughout the game we closed space quickly and vied for every 50/50 ball,” he added. “We did not allow King’s to settle the ball without defensive pressure and quickly shut off their passing lanes.”
The Knights picked up the offensive pace over the final 20 minutes, but the Falcons’ stingy defense held on.
“Our players defended them very well and kept most of their shots from outside the penalty area,” Swanson said.
“The final 12 minutes of the game took forever,” he said. “The score clock seemed to stand still. Anne Haines, my assistant coach, and I kept watching the clock simultaneously with the game on the field, anticipating the referees final whistle.
“When the final whistle blew, we knew the girls had accomplished something special, beating a team that had dominated South Whidbey High School soccer over the prior decade.”
