Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

PREP GIRLS' SOCCER: Bellingham defeated in shootout, drops into consolation bracket of Class 2A Northwest District Girls' Soccer Tournament

The Bellingham girls' soccer team was bumped into the Class 2A Northwest District Girls' Soccer Tournament consolation bracket in a 2-1 shootout loss against host Lakewood on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Lakewood moves to the tournament semifinals and will play Sehome at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3 at Cedarcrest. Bellingham will play Granite Falls in a loser-out elimination game at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 at Cedarcrest.

The first-round tournament game forced Bellingham to play catch-up after a third minute goal from Lakewood's Mariah Smith off an assist from Erin Dierickx.

"It took a while for us to get adjusted," Bellingham coach Mark Wright said. "Unfortunately while we were getting adjusted, they got a goal early. Its too bad today that we needed to give up an early goal to wake us up and get our attention."

Sixty minutes after Lakewood's goal in the second half, Bellingham's Jade Thurston, off an assist from Larkyn Nelson, found the back of the net to tie the score at 1-1.

"After halftime, our team really responded well," Wright said. "Jade's goal was really a nice one. Her goal and her energy really got our team going."

After two scoreless five minute overtime periods, Lakewood outshot Bellingham in a shootout. Four Lakewood players, Kylie Brown, Kennady Bonnallie, Alicia Scott and Kelsey Anderson, got the ball past Bellingham goalkeeper Hannah Wade in the shootout. Bellingham's Kim Cooper, Annali Wallin and Brooke Steinberg scored for the Red Raiders.

Wright said his team is disappointed but excited about the next chance to play a game and continue the season.

"We need to psychologically embrace that our season isn't over," Wright said. "It gets a little bit tougher but we need to get our girls back and feeling good to start our games better and we'll be in good shape."

LAKEWOOD 2, BELLINGHAM 1 (SO)

Scoring: Goal: Mariah Smith (Lakewood), assist: Erin Dierickx, time: 3:00; Goal: Jade Thurston (Bellingham), assist: Larkyn Nelson, time: 63:00. Shots on goal: Lakewood 10; Bellingham 7. Goalies (saves): Lakewood: Miranda Head (6); Bellingham: Hannah Wade (13).