Adna's Holli Edminster runs into La Conner's goalie during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Here is a photo from State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Kate Blackstone-Burgess sends the ball forward during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Kate Blackstone-Burgess celebrates Adna's first goal during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Melyssa Nocis blocks a kicked ball during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Kenya Lorton handles the ball during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Kassidy Thomas celebrates her goal during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Julia Dallas blocks the ball during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Kelsey Aselton chases down the ball during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
Adna's Kate Blackstone-Burgess takes a shot during State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament action between La Conner and Adna, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2014 in Sumner.
SUMNER — Adna wanted to break the 100-goal mark for the 2015 season here on Saturday. Sitting at 99, they had eighty minutes against La Conner in the State 2B Girls Soccer Tournament’s third-fourth place game to do it. After their 2-1 semifinal loss to Okanogan on Friday, the Pirates sat with 99 goals on the season and potential self-doubt after seeing a championship opportunity slip away because of a shootout.
Against La Conner, they scored early and often en route to a 6-0 victory and a third place state trophy. Pushing their goal total to 105 on the season, the Pirates celebrated the end to their season in a way that most teams don’t: with a victory.
“When we went over a gameplan for Saturday’s game, I told the girls I didn’t want to dwell too much on Friday’s game,” Adna coach Juli Aselton said. “We talked about leaving it all out on the field and ending the season on a strong note.”
The Pirates agreed with their coach and they wanted to show that their shootout loss to Okanogan — who would go on to win the State 2B Girls Soccer title — was merely a blip on their previously undefeated season.
“The girls were fired up and ready to take charge on the field. I was proud of the girls,” Aselton said. “They could have come to the game Saturday in a poor frame of mind but they all realized we have had a fantastic season. One loss for the entire season and third in state is a very good thing.”
It was ancient history for the Pirates by the time the referee blew his whistle to signal the start of the 3rd/4th place game. Six minutes into the game, Kate Blackstone-Burgess put Adna on the board first with a long shot that found the back of the La Conner goal.
“I think scoring early in the game was huge for us,” Aselton said. “On Friday, Okanogan scored first and it put us on the defensive. We played our best when we push forward and work on scoring and making the other team work hard.”
Just six minutes after Burgess’ goal, Holli Edminster headed the ball into the goal for the Pirates second goal. In the 14th minute, Kassidy Thomas scored for Adna to give her team a commanding 3-0 lead.
After that, Midfielder Kendra Stajduhar hit a goal from the 40-yard line and the Pirates went into halftime with the 4-0 advantage. Stajduhar scored again just nine minutes into the second half, and Kenya Lorton rounded out the scoring for the Pirates with a score in the 69th minute.
“It was a great feeling to end the season on such a big win,” Aselton said. “We were able to play all of the girls on the team for the final game and make sure our seniors enjoyed their last game.”
It was the second straight year that Adna placed third at the state tournament. They finished with a perfect 12-0 league mark in the Central 2B, and a 19-1 overall record. The Pirate defense gave up just seven goals all season.
Adna graduates five seniors from the team: Julia Dallas, Thomas, Stajduhar, Kelsey Aselton, Melyssa Nocis, Macy Moon, Morgan Burke and Lydia Medina.
“Again, it was a game with total team effort,” Aselton said. “There were five different girls that scored on Saturday. Everyone left the field with a smile and good feeling.”
