The one thing every team looks forward to at the beginning of the season is making a playoff run. The number one seeded Silverdale Lady Seahawks have had their eyes on it for a while after making it to state four previous years before. Their Division II-A East Region journey kicked off against The Lakeway Christian Academy Lions. These two had met earlier this season where Silverdale walked away with a 7-1 win. This time was no different for the Lady Seahawks as they would pull out another win in the post season with a score of 4-0. Silverdale’s head coach Chris Neighbors couldn’t have been mor proud of his team, but he said there is still work to do.
“I feel like tonight we played well at times and did some great things. We also at times made it a little harder on ourselves than we needed to.” Neighbors went on to say, “Those are all fixable things moving forward. So, I’m excited and it was a lot more physical than the first time we played them. People like Mary Winters, who we call Lemon, stepped up. She has been a started now, was one that was first off, the bench and is starting now. Aubrey Philpott has certainly come in and given us a lot of valuable minutes. There have been several off the bench that their minutes have certainly gone up because of the loss of so many other players. I’m really proud of them.”
The game started quickly for Silverdale as they would find their first goal within the first two minutes. Rachel Baker made runs into the box the whole season and it paid off again. Brooke Bolton made the perfect pass through the defense to give Baker the chance in front of goal, and she didn’t waste it. another goal for the Lady Seahawks wouldn’t come until late in the first half. It would be scored in an unusual way. Gabi Fernandes took the ball on the wing to pass it in, however, it would take a wild deflection off the Lakeway defender 9 and end up in goal to make it 2-0. Brooke Bolton gave her thoughts on their first playoff win and here is what she had to say.
“We are just excited.” Bolton continued, “This is our fifth year going to the state and we came out tonight knowing it was going to be really competitive because they have nothing to lose, and we have nothing to lose. We came out and it was what we expected. We all played really well; I think. We lost a lot to injuries this season. We had two surgeries today and they were starters. The people that came off the bench showed up, and they made an impact. We have depth for sure.”
Silverdale (13-1-1) would continue to score in the second half by putting two more points into the back of the net. The first came from Lola Gore this time using a familiar play. Brooke Bolton would get another assist on the night by another through ball. The speed of the Lady Seahawks was too much to handle and helped them get their win. The final goal of the game was scored by attacking midfielder Hallie Chapman. She managed to win the ball and secure a game clinching goal late in the second half all by herself. The Lady Seahawks would walk away with a playoff statement win of 4-0.
Gabi Fernandes, who had a wonderful performance, had plenty to say after the game with both compliments to her team and expectations for the rest of the post season.
“I think emotions were high,” said Fernandes. “We were all wanting that win. I think we were battling for it and it showed. We definitely stepped up and played for each other. They definitely came out aggressive. They wanted that win. We both wanted that win. A lot of us have been playing together for a long time and we played together for club. Practicing for club and practicing here, taking it down and crossing it, or the diagonal runs. Once you connect it just keeps coming.”
The Lady Seahawks host CAK on Tuesday, October 8, in a DII-A East Region semifinal match.
Game Summary
Lakeway 0 0 -- 0
Silverdale 2 2 -- 4
Goal Scorers:
Silverdale- Rachel Baker, Lola Gore, Hallie Chapman, Gabi Fernandes
Assists:
Silverdale- Brooke Bolton 2.