Congratulations, Cheetahs & Crush: West Seattle’s newest state champs

(Photo by Matt Lawrence; pictured are – Lying: Sami MacKenzie and Danielle Nielsen. Kneeling: Gabby Rivera, Kelsey Klapperich, Jaqueline Andrade, Nicole Roed, Xiu Xiu Bunting, Abby Tuthill, and Meghan Foulk. Standing: Malea Rudolph, Katy Gillingham, Erin Castillo, Charli Elliott, Ali Campagnaro, Annalisa Ursino, Julia Nark, Talia Lawrence, and Coach MacKenzie)
The West Seattle Soccer Club is proudly sharing the news tonight that one two of its three teams who made it into the statewide Recreational Cup finals (as noted here a week ago) won championships. First, from Cori Roed:

The WSSC West Side Cheetahs, coached by John Mackenzie, played the Harbor Thunder (Aberdeen) to a 3-0 final score, becoming the best Girls U-14 Rec Soccer Team in Washington State for 2010. Way to go, Cheetahs!

(added Monday afternoon) More details from coach MacKenzie:

Playing Sunday at Starfire in Tukwila in a torrential downpour, the Cheetahs got off to a quick start by scoring a goal in the first minute of the game. “We had talked about our slow starts in previous games and how we would really need to get a goal early to put the pressure on them, I guess they took it to heart,” said Coach MacKenzie. The Thunder never really challenged after that. The Cheetahs led 2-0 at half, then scored another goal in the 2nd half to ice the game.

The Cheetahs tore through district and regional play to get to the State Championship game by winning 8 straight games. They scored 21 goals and only allowed 1 during that streak. The team is built around a tough and gritty defense, a fearless goaltender, a smart and physical midfield, and lightning-fast, unselfish forwards.

Several of the girls were on the team that lost 2 years ago in a double overtime shootout game played in 17 degree weather on a snow covered field. They all vowed they were not going to let that happen again.

The Cheetahs players and coaches would like to thank all of the fans for their support especially considering the weather.

The BU-11 Crush and BU-19 Sambas also were in state finals games this weekend, all played at Starfire.

(Photo added Monday morning, courtesy Eric and Jenny Freeman)
ADDED 10:44 PM: WSSC president Bill Fry reports in comments that the Crush also emerged victorious:

We are happy to report that the BU-11 West Seattle Crush coached by Jason Woodward and David Douglas are also STATE CHAMPIONS!! They won the BU-11 final 2-1 on Saturday morning.

The BU-19 Sambas fell just short of the prize today, but they have clinched first place in their division and have a perfect 11-0 record in league play – with just one match remaining.

We are very proud of our players and their wonderful supporters!

6 Replies to "Congratulations, Cheetahs & Crush: West Seattle's newest state champs"

  • sonya December 12, 2010 (9:43 pm)

    Way to go girls!

  • Bill Fry December 12, 2010 (10:19 pm)

    We are happy to report that the BU-11 West Seattle Crush coached by Jason Woodward and David Douglas are also STATE CHAMPIONS!! They won the BU-11 final 2-1 on Saturday morning.

    The BU-19 Sambas fell just short of the prize today, but they have clinched first place in their division and have a perfect 11-0 record in league play – with just one match remaining.

    We are very proud of our players and their wonderful supporters!

    • WSB December 12, 2010 (10:37 pm)

      Thanks, Bill, will update the story! – TR

  • Howard Chilcott December 13, 2010 (6:40 am)

    HUGE Congrats to all 3 WSSC Teams…way to represent!!

  • Mindy December 13, 2010 (6:10 pm)

    Congratulations Cheetahs! Your hard work paid off. Way to go West Seattle Soccer!

  • Elizabeth MacKenzie December 13, 2010 (7:49 pm)

    Fantastic job to all of our West Seattle Teams!

Sorry, comment time is over.