Wolves put up a fight in loss to P.T.

by MICHAEL DASHIELL

Sequim Gazette

Judging by the team spirit following Thursday evening’s Olympic League game, one might think Sequim clobbered their rivals from Port Townsend.

But a 1-0 loss to the Redskins was nearly as good as a win for a Wolves team still searching for their first Olympic League victory.

“They’re a pretty strong team; I think we really held our own,” said Sequim junior defender Lorah Steichen.

Irina Lyons scored off an Audrey McHugh assist at the 16-minute mark, but that’s all the Redskins got as Sequim’s defense and keeper Rachel Dewees shut down the high-scoring squad from the east.

Sequim coach Molly McAleer praised her team’s “heart, energy and enthusiasm,” particularly after falling to the Redskins 4-0 back on Sept. 14.

“We’ve had about three games where the score doesn’t reflect the dominance on the field,” McAleer said. “We’ve got to start scoring.”

Sequim did get a score to start the week in a 1-1 nonleague draw at Foster on Oct. 11. Kayla Hagberg found the net for the Wolves’ first score since Sept. 7.

A day later in Poulsbo, Sequim fell to a strong North Kitsap squad 7-1. Vikings Rachel Fisk and Delanee Nilles had two scores each.

Justine Rhodes broke up the shutout in the 53rd minute with a score, Sequim’s first Olympic League tally.

Two days after that, Sequim battled Port Townsend to a one-score defeat before a vocal hometown crowd.

Steichen said her team has grown much since the beginning of the season.

“We’re a lot more confident on the field, getting first to the ball,” she said. “We’re really refining our game.”

In the junior varsity contest, Sequim came back from a 1-0 first-half deficit to win 2-1, getting both scores from Nicole Pino.

Sequim was scheduled to play at Port Angeles on Oct. 19 – results were unavailable at press time.

The Wolves (0-5 in league, 1-10-1 overall) are in Silverdale on Oct. 21 to play Olympic, then finish the season on Oct. 26 with a home game against Klahowya.