Lakewood soccer tops Nooksack Valley

A senior-laden Lakewood girls soccer team split two games last week winning 6-0 on Oct. 12 against Nooksack Valley and then losing two days later to Burlington-Edison 0-4.

“Every single game this season, they’re competitive,” Cougar soccer coach Nick Anderson said. Of the 10 seniors on the team, four have been starting since they were freshman.

During the visit to Nooksack Valley, Anderson said the team built confidence.

“They didn’t know how good they were.”

The game saw junior Layla Thomas score two goals and Lauren Butcher score a goal on a corner kick. Maranda Harrison, Jasmine Graham, and Tatum Ostlie each scored a goal.

“It was a good experience all-around,” Anderson said.

Graham had two assists, and Riley Westvang, Kahlan Buckley, and Kahlie Hensley each contributed an assist. He said junior varsity players had the opportunity to play during the second half.

Two days later, Lakewood battled Burlington-Edison, which is the fourth ranked 2A team in the state.

“The girls rallied for 80 minutes. Unfortunately, at the end, the levy kind of broke,” Anderson said. Burlington-Edison scored around 20 minutes in the first half. The score remained 1-0 until after the 65th minute, when Burlington-Edison scored three more goals.

Anderson said the team had to deal with injuries to three players during the game.

He complimented the efforts of freshman goalkeeper Ke’Ala Riveira, who was making her first start Oct. 14. She recorded 13 saves.

“She did a really nice job listening to our leaders,” Anderson said.

Last week’s games places Lakewood’s record to 4-5-2 with three games remaining as of press time. The Cougars host Oak Harbor Oct. 21 and Bellingham Oct. 23 before traveling to Squalicum in Bellingham Oct. 25.

“They’ve all got their sights squarely set on the postseason,” Anderson said. He complimented the team on fostering a collaborative relationship which will help them during the playoffs, which would be a play-in to the tournament.

“It’s going to be way more powerful if the communication is among themselves,” Anderson said.

He added that if the team remains healthy, the Cougars are competitive.