Success (plus).
That’s how Lindbergh girls soccer coach James Valles described the Eagles’ approach to the postseason. Having already locked up the first Seamount championship anyone at the school can remember, and a big win over rival Kennedy Catholic, anything beyond this is icing on the cake.
“It’s been a successful season,” Valles said. “It can be an even more successful season. It’s success, plus.”
Even with the accomplishments already in hand, Lindbergh (11-5) is hungry to make a dent as the playoffs get under way. The Eagles took on Franklin Pierce (3-5-1) in a sub-district playoff game Wednesday night. If they won, they play North Kitsap (9-1-5) at North Kitsap High School Saturday at 1 p.m. in a winner-to-state, loser-out game.
“They’re really excited,” Valles said. “If we don’t go all the way, at least we can say we’re Seamount champions, which is a pretty big deal.”
The team’s season is even more impressive considering the Eagles are on their third head coach in four years and don’t have enough players for a JV team. Still, the team has been growing, and obviously it’s making positive strides.
“I’m glad to see the program has grown,” said senior Jordyn McLuen. “It was pretty sad having only 16 girls show up. But it’s definitely gotten better.”
McLuen, a senior forward, has nine goals and seven assist for the Eagles this season. Her nine goals are second only to senior Whitney Hilde, who has 10.
Hilde is an attacking midfielder and one of three senior Eagles, along with McLuen and defender Kimi Girmus, who made the all-league first team last year.
The program’s growth is a welcome to surprise to the three.
“I would’ve never thought we would be here,” Hilde said. “Honestly I just came out ready to play, we worked hard and it came to us.”
Girmus echoed Hilde’s assessment.
“It’s been amazing,” she said. “We played a whole lot better than I could’ve expected, or even hoped for.”
While the Seamount title is nice, it’s apparent the Eagles’ Sept. 27 win against Kennedy Catholic is a huge deal to the team. Lindbergh fell behind 1-0 in that game, but McLuen scored in the 60th minute on an assist by Hilde. Then Hilde scored on a penalty kick two minutes later. Girmus and the defense held to maintain the win.
The group of seniors couldn’t remember ever scoring on Kennedy, much less beating the Lancers.
“It’s a great way to spend a senior year,” Girmus said. “Captains, Seamount champions, and the biggest thing was beating Kennedy.”
The Eagles took time to celebrate their regular-season accomplishments, but now it’s time to look ahead.
Lindbergh has made the state tournament each of the past two seasons, but bowed out in the first round both times. They’re determined to get farther this year.
“We need to be more consistent in the playoffs,” McLuen said. “We don’t want to say, ‘We could’ve won if we would have done this.’ We don’t want any of those maybes.”
