BELLINGHAM - Squalicum girls' soccer coach David Kish took restrictions off his young team against Lynden Christian on Tuesday, Sept. 13, and the move paid dividends.
Kish's philosophy has been to rely on a sturdy defense this year, being that his roster contains just three seniors.
But, desperate for an equalizing goal, Kish made the call to place a third attacking forward up front, after trailing 2-1 late in the game. In the 68th minute, Squalicum forward Kylie Garrison fed a ball to sophomore forward Gracie Slater, who booted in the tying goal as Squalicum overcame an early 2-0 deficit to tie Lynden Christian 2-2 in a non-classification Northwest Conference match at Northwest Soccer Park.
"We took a gamble late in the game, and it worked," Kish said. "We were able to be much more aggressive."
With a forward heavy lineup, scoring opportunities began to present themselves, but Squalicum couldn't manage to finish any of them.
Storm freshman forward Sarah Byron had two great looks within two minutes from the 60 to 62 minute mark, but shot high both times.
Slater, however, made sure her team capitalized on at least one opportunity.
"For me, it's frustrating to know we couldn't get the little things to go," said Slater, referring to the inability of Squalicum to score with so many chances. "I saw Kylie going down the side, so I played behind her. I took the touch from her, made one move and played it."
Slater, waiting for a pass from Garrison in the middle of the pitch, received Garrison's ball left to right and beat Lynden Christian goalie Louisa Brisbane from five yards out.
Up front, Byron, Garrison and Slater played solid games, as they work well to put several big runs together.
"I thought they did awesome," Kish said. "Gracie can pass so well, Sarah's got a great shot and Kylie just works so hard,"
Lynden Christian was held scoreless for the remaining 60 minutes of the match, after it continued its early season trend of scoring on opponents quickly.
In the 9th minute, Lync defender Shelby Brown moved up on a ball from her defensive position and ripped a beautiful shot from 30 yards out over the head of Squalicum goalie Lauren Eckert.
Three minutes later, Lynden Christian forward Coryn Bajema scored her seventh goal of the year.
Bajema put a nice move on Storm defender Jackie Dierdorff and placed the ball to the left of Eckert from eight yards out.
"It's just every time we warm up we go out with a lot of fire," said Bajema, about Lynden Christian's quick starts. "We tell ourselves we're going to shake them up from the start."
Squalicum defender Lauren Wallace scored the first goal for the Storm in the 31st minute, off a free kick. Bryon was fouled in the 18-yard box and Wallace reaped the benefits.
Squalicum's next game is 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15 against Bellingham, at Civic Stadium. Lynden Christian plays at 4:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 15 at Nooksack Valley.
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 2, SQUALICUM 2
Scoring: Goal: Shelby Brown (Lynden Christian), time: 9; Goal: Coryn Bajema (Lynden Christian), time: 12; Goal: Lauren Wallace (Squalicum), time: 31: Goal: Gracie Slater (Squalicum), assist: Kylie Garrison, time: 68. Shots on goal: Lynden Christian 8; Squalicum 9. Goalies (saves): Lynden Christian: Louisa Brisbane (7); Squalicum: Lauren Eckert (6).
