South Whidbey Reign U-16 girls soccer team in semifinals

By Evan Thompson • May 6, 2017 6:00 pm
Contributed photo — South Whidbey Reign’s Mallory Drye maneuvers with the soccer ball during the Washington Youth Soccer President’s Cup.
Contributed photo — South Whidbey Reign’s Mallory Drye maneuvers with the soccer ball during the Washington Youth Soccer President’s Cup.

Another South Whidbey Reign girls soccer team could be playing for a state championship.

The Reign’s U-16 girls are playing in the Washington Youth Soccer Presidential State Cup semifinals today at Starfire Complex in Tukwila. The Reign won the North Puget Sound League championship and went undefeated over 12 games. On April 30, South Whidbey defeated Washington Premier FC 2-1 in the state cup quarterfinals. Scoring goals were Simone White and Ashley Ricketts.

“Many of our goals come off of counter-attacks from defensive pressure in the opposition’s defensive third,” Reign coach Terry Swanson said. “This high pressure defensive style of play requires the highest level of fitness in our players and they are being rewarded for their hard work on the practice field.”

If the Reign wins, they will be the second team this year to play in the state finals. In February, the Reign’s U-14 soccer club lost 2-1 to Bainbridge Island FC in the state cup finals.