Tides soccer team falls to Stadium without starting goalkeeper

Tigers apply pressure, Gig Harbor’s midfield loses battle

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

In a soccer match that decided who would share first place in the Class 4A Narrows League with Bellarmine, the Gig Harbor Tides were shut out by Stadium 3-0 at home Thursday night.

The Tides (5-2-1 league, 7-2-2 overall) had been on a five-game winning streak and were creeping up in the Narrows League standings, just a half game out of first place.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has announced six teams will advance from the West Central District tournament to state. As of now, Bellarmine, Stadium, Gig Harbor and Olympia would host league tournament games to determine seeding for district.

And since Gig Harbor has already lost to both Bellarmine and Stadium this regular season, this Thursday’s match between Gig Harbor and Olympia could decide the No. 3 league seed. The Tides and Bears will play at 5 p.m. at Gig Harbor High School.

Gig Harbor built a sizeable amount of momentum before facing Stadium last week. The Tides had outscored their past five opponents 21-2.

But it was a completely different outcome against the Tigers (7-1-0 league, 10-1-0 overall).

“We just didn’t show up to play,” Tides coach Dani States said. “It’s nothing scientific or magical to figure it out, we just didn’t show up to play ... not everybody, but a core of people.”

States added that the middle of the Tides’ defense simply “watched things go on.”

In the first half, Stadium outside forward Morgan Swanson beat a Gig Harbor defender down the left sideline for the first goal. Gig Harbor’s defense was exposed — and the Tigers never looked back.

At halftime, States gathered her players and said, “what you do defensively is what’s going to matter.”

While the Tides’ offense was not in rhythm, unable to put the ball into the net, the defense allowed another goal. This time, it was by freshman midfielder Lindsey Felt.

Later in the second half, Stadium forward Nicole Roberts nailed a long boot from about 25 yards out into the corner of the net to close any chances of a Gig Harbor comeback.

After the Tides blanked South Kitsap 4-0 and stopped Shelton 2-0 last week, they appeared sluggish and struggled to control the ball in the middle of the field.

Tides senior goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage was visiting Florida International, where she intends to play soccer, and missed the match.

Junior Heather Knapp filled in for the third time this season but couldn’t stop three scores.

When the Tides’ offense couldn’t find a way to score, it was only a matter of time before Stadium did.

“When it comes playoff time, you can’t go into the game that way,” States said.

Reach sports reporter Marques Hunter at 253-853-9246 by e-mail at marques.hunter@gateline.com.