The Tahoma girls soccer team did what it set out to do in the beginning of the season, play well, hang together and win the division.
A 1-0 victory over Federal Way Oct. 29 with eight minutes remaining clinched the top spot for the Bears in the South Puget Sound League 4A, North Division with a 13-1-2 record.
The girls will face the winner of the SPSL South Division, Emerald Ridge, 8 p.m. Wednesday in Sparks Stadium, 601 7th Avenue Southwest, Puyallup. Emerald Ridge has a 16-0-0 record.
Tahoma coach Jason Johnson said the Jaguars will be a good test for the Tahoma girls.
Johnson took over the coaching reins this season and he said the team “wanted to build chemistry, but it happened so quickly. We have great senior leadership and the core of the team works hard and shares the ball. They have all stepped up and everyone works hard.”
After leading the league all season, Tahoma lost a 1-0 game to Kentwood Oct. 22 and it appeared the Bears might not take the league.
Johnson said “a lot of things had to fall into place” for the Bears to win the league.
One of those things was when Auburn Riverside battled Kentwood to a scoreless tie Oct. 27 on the Ravens turf.
The other necessary element was Tahoma had to win the final three games, which they did.
“The girls really responded and shutout all three (teams),” Johnson said.
At home against Federal Way, senior Kaila Wilkinson earned the shutout and senior Kaylee Osterman kicked the winning goal at 72 minutes with an assist from Cassidy Richmond.
The Bears began the three game run Oct 24 at home with a 1-0 win over Auburn Riverside.
Wilkinson picked up the shutout and sophomore Richmond kick the goal with an assist from freshman Brie Hooks.
Tahoma traveled to French Field and beat Kent-Meridian 7-0 Oct. 27.
Amber Woolcock took the shutout and first to score was Becca Velasco, unassisted.
Hayley Reeves scored at 12 minutes from a Hooks assist. Hooks was next at 15 minutes from a Richmond assist. It was Hooks again at 19 minutes unassisted.
Chenelle Green scored at 2 minutes from a Chelsea Olson assist.
Olson hit at the 53 minute mark from a Hooks assist and Green closed it out with an unassisted point at 58 minutes.
