The Highlanders went into the postseason with a lone victory on the season against lowly Rogers. It looked like the postseason was going to go in that same direction as they opened up on the road against a Southridge side that finished fourth in the MCC overall with a 10-4 record and were down two goals after 27 minutes. Somehow, they found a spark and went on a fantastic playoff that saw them post twice as many wins in three days as they had all season.
It started with INWsn Player of the Week selection Katie Benjamin, who found Veronica Mulford in the 31st minute to close the gap before the break. In the second half Olivia Wicks, the star most of the season, tied it up at the hour mark. Then Benjamin hit the game-winner, courtesy of Wicks, with two minutes remaining in the match to give them the stunning 3-2 upset win on the road.
Two days later Shadle was facing league foe Mt Spokane on their home turf and played a relatively even contest with the Wildcats, who won the first meeting 3-1. Led in part by Benjamin, the midfield and defense disrupted much of the play as Mt Spokane was not able to create many dangerous opportunities in the match to pull even after the Highlanders struck for an early goal. The 1-0 victory advanced them to the district final against powerhouse Kamiakin and ensured the Highlanders of two shots at earning a state berth.
Through games of Saturday, October 27
G - Josie Krum (University, So) :: Made five saves in a 1-1 stalemate with top MCC seed Richland and denied the opening round penalty en route to a shootout victory to open the playoffs.
G - Katelyn Pomerinke (Shadle Park, Fr) :: Posted a shutout performance at Mt Spokane in the second round of the playoffs that included a penalty kick save to lead the Highlanders to a 1-0 upset win. She also made nine saves against Southridge in a 3-2 comeback victory on the road.
G - Payton Williams (Lakeside, Jr) :: In an extremely close playoff opener she made five saves to keep a potent Freeman side at bay, allowing Lakeside to grab the victory with a goal seven minutes from time.
D - Brielle Schneider (Kamiakin, Sr) :: Scored the winning goal off a set piece corner kick play that stood as the winner in a 1-0 victory against North Central in the opening round of the playoffs.
D - Kennedy Seibold (Gonzaga Prep, Sr) :: Scored the opener and registered an assist on the second for the Bullpups in their playoff opening 3-0 victory against Hanford.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK :: M - Katie Benjamin (Shadle Park, Sr) :: Set up the first goal and scored the game-winner two minutes from time that completed a rally from a two-goal deficit to defeat Southridge on the road in the playoff opener and then helped lead the Highlanders to a 1-0 victory at Mt Spokane in the second round.
M - Ruthie Edrington (Chiawana, Jr) :: Scored the opening goal and later the equalizer for the Riverhawks as they won their playoff opener in overtime 3-2 against Mead.
M - Kailyn LaBrosse (Central Valley, Sr) :: Was unstoppable in their playoff opener, tallying the first and third goals and setting up the one in between as the Bears built a three goal lead in the first half en route to a 4-1 win against Walla Walla.
M/F - Kaitlin Teeters (Cheney, Jr) :: Scored both goals for the Blackhawks in their postseason victory against Clarkston to advance to the district final.
F - Camryn Dezember (Richland, So) :: Scored the second goal for the Bombers in a 3-2 victory over Chiawana in the season finale to claim the top 4A seed and then tallied the opening goal in a 1-1 draw against North Central in the playoff opener that saw them fall in a shootout.
F - Kaitlin Harvey (East Valley, Sr) :: Scored twice in their finale, including the 3-2 overtime winner to down rival West Valley.
About HS Best XI - Each week INWsoccernews will release a list of the week’s best performances in the region, recognizing players at schools in the GSL, MCC, GNL and NEA. The list is extremely flexible and has no defined formation, despite featuring 11 players. The list is issued (typically) each Tuesday during the season, and the Player of the Week selection will receive an exclusive button honoring their selection.
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