Sports - High Schools

POSTED: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

PREP GIRLS' SOCCER: Red Raiders blank Squalicum 3-0

BELLINGHAM - The Bellingham girls' soccer team turned in a memorable performance on senior night Tuesday, Oct. 20, under the lights at Civic Stadium. However, the 3-0 Northwest Conference win for the Red Raiders was one Squalicum would probably like to forget.

Bellingham senior Sarah Peeples scored two second-half goals and the Red Raiders took sole custody of second place in the 2A standings, moving to 9-2. The Storm fell to 8-3 in league with games against Burlington-Edison and Lynden remaining. Bellingham has games left against 3A Ferndale and then Sehome.

"We went into the locker room tonight and I really looked in the eyes of all my seniors and they were very, very intent about the fact they wanted to put a great effort here on the field here tonight," Bellingham coach Mark Wright said. "I was really, really proud of them."

Still, aside from a brief appearance by senior Brooke Steinberg, who's been out all year with an ACL tear but started the game and played roughly 10 seconds before subbing out, the game's first half was far from memorable.

Both teams struggled to keep possession, though Bellingham defender Emma Wayerski found a way to score on a gorgeous volley in the game's 26th minute off a free kick by Kim Cooper to give the Red Raiders a 1-0 lead before the half.

Annali Wallin found Peeples all alone on the right side of the field just two minutes into the second half. The senior sent a laser into the goal's upper right corner to put any idea of a halftime spark by the Storm to rest.

That woke Squalicum up, though they still couldn't find a way to beat Bellingham goal keeper Hanna Wade. Storm forward Katie Stick hit the goal's right post in the 57th minute, then had a one-on-one opportunity snuffed by Wade, who sprinted off her line to block the shot in the 61st minute.

The Storms' Jessica Wallace was dangerous along the right side, sending multiple crosses into the penalty area. But Squalicum failed to capitalize, despite pressing forward for much of the second half.

Peeples scored her second goal in the game's 74th minute when a corner kick cross by senior Claire Leischner found its way through several bodies to the far post. The senior poked the ball in to give the Red Raiders a 3-0 cushion.

Squalicum coach David Kish was frustrated after the loss.

"It was an off day. Bellingham's a quality side," Kish said. "Kim Cooper (Bellingham center midfielder) ... did a great job, played her butt off. We just had no response. I just really felt we didn't play our best game tonight.

"You can do that against weaker opponents. But not Bellingham, not Sehome, not Burlington."

BELLINGHAM 3, SQUALICUM 0

Scoring: Goal: Emma Wayerski (B), assist: Kim Cooper, time: 26; Goal: Sarah Peeples (B), assist: Annali Wallin, time: 42; Goal: Peeples (B), assist: Claire Leischner, time: 74. Shots on goal: Bellingham 7; Squalicum 2. Goalies (saves): Bellingham: Hanna Wade (2); Squalicum: Kara Merfeld (4).