Coryn Bajema has 32 goals this season to Adrianna Gildner's 20. But when it came down to whose team would move on to the semifinals, it was Gildner with the upper hand.
The Lynden Christian girls' soccer team lost 3-1 against Overlake in the Class 1A Tri-District Tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 1, in Sammamish, as Bajema was held scoreless for the first time in her past eight matches.
Overlake jumped out to an early lead on Gildner's goal in the 17th minute. The Lyncs couldn't punch any shots into the back of the net before Overlake added two more goals late in the second half, capped off by Katie Hill's score off an assist from Gildner.
Mikki Jansma put Lynden Christian on the scoreboard off an assist from Bajema in the 78th, but too late to rally back.
"It was just the fact that they were opportunistic and we weren't," said Lynden Christian coach Brent De Ruyter in a phone interview. "Other than a little lull at the beginning of the second half the match was pretty evenly played."
De Ruyter said Bajema had a pair of shots ricochet off the crossbar in the first half. Bajema led the Northwest Conference in goals scored during the regular season.
"They really clamped down on Coryn," De Ruyter said. "They double-teamed her as much as they could. Both her crossbar shots were barely missed."
Both teams finished with 10 shots on goal, but the Lyncs only capitalized on one. De Ruyter said it looked like his team tied the match up in the first half, but Overlake goalkeeper Catherine Cunningham dove for the ball as it was on its way toward the back of the net and saved it just before it crossed the white goal line.
The Lyncs face Seattle Christian their next match in the consolation round of the tri-district tournament. They advance to the Class 1A State Championship Tournament with a victory. A loss ends their season.
"Traditionally (Seattle Christian) is a great team," De Ruyter said. "Our hands will be full but I think the girls took some good things from this match. We are just one win away from state and that is all that matters."
OVERLAKE 3, LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 1
Scoring: Goal: Adrianna Gildner (Overlake), time: 17; Goal: Kelsey D'Ewart (Overlake), time: 55; Goal: Katie Hill (Overlake), assist: Adrianna Gildner time: 65; Goal: Mikki Jansma (Lynden Christian), assist: Coryn Bajema, time: 78. Shots on goal: Lynden Christian 10; Overlake 10. Goalies (saves): Lynden Christian: Louisa Brisbane (7); Overlake: Catherine Cunningham (9).
