Seahawks girls soccer team excited to kick off season

Players hope offense will be more productive this year

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

The Peninsula High School girls soccer team is excited for its second season in the Class 3A South Puget Sound League.

The Seahawks finished in the middle of the pack last year (8-8-1 overall, 4-3-1 league) and reached the West Central District tournament for the third straight year before falling to Kennedy.

Peninsula head coach Jeremie Lynden said the team has the talent to make a deep run.

But it’s started off a little rough. Peninsula dropped two of its first three matches, and the third was canceled. The Seahawks played without starter Hannah Lekson due to an injury.

The team also had its C team cut due to lack of numbers, giving the junior varsity team more depth.

Peninsula senior Zoe Abel added that the team is really quick with the ball, and their offense appears to be strong.

“Our goal-scoring will come easier for our team,” she said. “We need to improve our defense, because we lost a lot of our starting defenders.”

Peninsula received a dose of the much stronger SPSL last year after it left the combined 3A/2A Olympic League. Abel said it forced the Seahawks to play at a higher level.

“Hopefully we have a good season and get in the running,” she said.

Lekson injured her hip flexor during a recent practice. She could return this week but is uncertain about her status.

“We lost some defenders, but the returners will get stronger as the season progresses,” she said. “I think the girls will do just fine.”

Lekson added that Lynden has been pushing the concept of open competition for positions.

“I think this is going to be a solid team,” Lekson said.

Peninsula soccer

Coaches: Head coach Jeremie Lynden, assistant coach Jenny Nichols

2008 SPSL 3A champs: Sumner

Key losses: Courtney Dutton, Haley Schaefer and Brittany Oliver

Key returners: Zoey Abel, Hannah Lekson, Hannah Walther and Maria O’Brien

Newcomers: Rhea Canas and Jamie Fairbanks

Captains: O’Brien, Amanda Tenzler Walther

Coach prediction: “I think this season is going to be exciting to watch these girls with such great talent jell together,” Lynden said. “I know our league has great competition, but I think the Peninsula Seahawks are up to match anyone this year.”

Teams to watch: Enumclaw, Bonney Lake and Sumner

Seahawks schedule

Sept. 8 vs. Olympic L, 1-0

Sept. 10 at Timberline Canceled

Sept. 12 vs. Gig Harbor L, 3-1

Sept. 15 vs. Enumclaw After press time

Sept. 17 vs. Yelm (grass) 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 22 at Clover Park 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 24 at Franklin Pierce 7:15 p.m.

Sept. 29 at Capital 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 6 at Lakes 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 8 vs. North Thurston 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 13 vs. White River 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 15 vs. Bonney Lake 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 20 at Auburn Mountainview 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 22 vs. Sumner 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 24 vs. Franklin Pierce 7:15 p.m.

Oct. 27 at Enumclaw 7:15 p.m.

Nov. 2 SPSL tiebreaker TBA

Nov. 4 Subdistrict TBA

Nov. 7 District TBA