Tides look to use speed, new defense to contend in league

Team is adjusting to a flat-back four backline formation

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

The Gig Harbor Tides girls soccer team was never out of a match last year, including at the district tournament, when one goal kept the Tides from advancing to the Class 4A state bracket.

Returning the same quality defense may be a tough challenge, considering the Tides lost goalkeeper Kaitlyn Savage, who is currently playing for Florida International University, an NCAA Division I program.

But the Tides believe their speed and a new defensive front will keep them in the running for another district berth.

“Overall, I think we’re a lot faster in an athletes’ sense,” said Dani States, the Tides’ head coach. “The past couple of years, the defense was the backbone. We are a little more even offensively and defensively.”

The Tides finished fifth in a competitive Narrows League last year (10-5-1 overall, 6-3-1 league). In the years past, the team had used the diamond shape defense with two stoppers and a sweeper, but now they’ll change to a four-man backline.

“We want to make it back to state,” States said. “Consistency is what’s going to get us back there. The more consistent we are with our playing style and confidence, that’s what’s going to carry us through.”

Gig Harbor senior Lizzy Unterbrink said they simply need to get fired up in order to make a stronger push this season.

“We lost a lot of key players, such as Savage, but as far as the team goes now, we have some fresh, new players who are going to help us out,” Unterbrink said. “We need to start it off now and hopefully reach our peak at midseason.”

The team had its first match against Blanchet, a non-league contest, after press time on Tuesday, and the Tides will play North Kitsap on Thursday and crosstown rival Peninsula on Saturday.

Gig Harbor’s first league match will be against powerhouse Bellarmine Prep, which advanced to the state quarterfinals last year.

Tides senior forward Josie Graybeal remembers the last time the team went to state — when she was a sophomore.

Graybeal, who plans to play for Arizona State University, said this year’s highlight is the team’s speed.

“Teams will have to run with us,” Graybeal said. “I can honestly say we have serious talent this year.”

Conversely, that talent has been hampered by injuries. Two of the Tides’ defenders are out and have not been given a timetable for return.

States said what the team lacks in skill, they will make up for in hustle.

“Last year, every game was a tight game,” States said. “That’s part of what the Narrows League is. It all came down to our work ethic. And that’s what I try and carry over this year.”

Gig Harbor senior Nicole Laughlin said winning this year is a matter of teamwork and the girls playing their positions, even though they may not be completely familiar with them.

“We can do it,” Laughlin said. “We just need to put our minds to it. We have to be strong and tough, and be willing to step up to the plate.”

Gig Harbor soccer

Coach: Dani States

2008 Division champs: Bellarmine

Key losses: Kaitlyn Savage, Brittany Schroeder and Lindsay Emery

Key returners: Josie Graybeal, Emma Ostergren, Lizzy Unterbrink, Nicole Laughlin, Hanna Massee

Newcomers: Mackenzie Dowd, Sara Massee

Biggest upside: Young and fast

Captains: Graybeal, Ally Focolner, Unterbrink

Teams to watch: Everyone

Biggest matches: Olympia, Stadium, South Kitsap and Bellarmine Prep

Tides schedule

Sept. 8 vs. Blanchet L, 2-1

Sept. 10 at North Kitsap T, 4-4

Sept. 12 at Peninsula W, 3-1.

Sept. 17 at Bellarmine 7 p.m.

Sept. 22 vs. Central Kitsap 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 24 at Foss 5:15 p.m.

Sept. 29 vs. Lincoln 5:15 p.m.

Oct. 6 vs. Wilson 5:15 p.m.

Oct. 8 at South Kitsap 7 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. Shelton 5:15 p.m.

Oct. 15 at Stadium 7 p.m.

Oct. 20 vs. Mount Tahoma 5:15 p.m.

Oct. 22 at Olympia 7 p.m.

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