Lions ground Highlanders, 5-0

It didn’t take very long for the Auburn Mountainview Lions to put their stamp on their first playoff game in two years, this past Wednesday against Hazen at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

It didn’t take very long for the Auburn Mountainview Lions to put their stamp on their first playoff game in two years, this past Wednesday against Hazen at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

“We scored right off the bat two minutes in,” coach Cary Davidson said.

The goal, by junior Hannah Morse with an assist from Kristin Herren, was just the first of many as the Lions roared in the sub-district tourney, beating Hazen 5-0.

“It’s nice to get this done,” Erickson said.

Morse added another goal in the second half, and Hillary Frett, Danica Collop and Jamie Byarlay all added goals.

Sydney Coleman had two assists and Megan Telstad and Ali Clarkson added one each.

Deanna Colburn and Jessica McAllister combined for the shutout.

“We really came in just playing our own game,” Morse said after the win. “We’re not trying to play the direct feel, we’re going for the best soccer we can play. A lot of the other teams are playing direct, but we’re trying to stick with what we do, just playing small balls and getting it when we can.”

“It feels great,” Morse added. “We’ve been working really hard all season and this was our main goal – to get to the playoffs and go from there.”

Davidson, who introduced a pro-style system – where ball control and use of the whole field, as well as getting everybody involved in the offense and defense, are a priority – last season said the key to his team’s success is its adherence to the system.

“We’re just always trying to play our game,” he said. “But when we play our game and try to control the tempo and our passing, then we’re at our best. If it gets into a kickball game, then we’re not as good. So we mostly just try to play our game. And we’ve been the most successful when we do that.”

Now the Lions will take to the road, travelling to Camas for a match against Union High School – which is undefeated at 12-0-2 and ranked the No.2 3A team in the state – today at 1 p.m.

“But now we have to go to Camas and play a pretty good team,” Davidson said. “But I think this gives the girls confidence. I think they (the team) think they can play with anybody. It’s going to be a tough game.”

“We are going to come out intense, and we’re going to come out pumped for that game,” Morse added. “This was a great game to get us ready for that.”

ALSO: The Auburn Riverside (9-3-5) girls soccer team was defeated 2-1 by Emerald Ridge (12-2-3) this past Wednesday at the South Puget Sound League 4A tournament at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Chase Lane scored the Ravens only goal on an assist from Ariell Swan. The Ravens will play South Kitsap in the first round of the district tournament at 11 a.m. today, at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma.