ast season, Vashon High School’s girls soccer team said goodbye to 14 seniors from the varsity team of 21. The remaining six players were left with a half-empty pitch and skepticism of what the next season would bring.

On Thursday, Sept. 9, the girls took the field without a single memory of a victory over their first opponent of the season, the Seattle Christian Warriors. With an outstanding turnout of freshman and an uprising of talent among returners, the Pirates won the battle against the Warriors with a score of 4-3.

With a stalemate at halftime of 1-0 in favor of the Warriors, coach Paul Beytebiere worked out the kinks, and the girls turned up the heat in the second half. Eight minutes into the second period, junior Cat Amick dribbled the ball to about 10 feet out of the penalty box and blasted it over the goalie’s head to put the Pirates on the scoreboard. Amick then went on to score an additional two points, and junior Olivia Andrus scored one to bring the Pirates to a one point advantage over the Warriors.

With a defense of three talented returners and herself, freshman Teagan Lynch had a great start to her high school career. Keeping her composure, she helped hold off the Warriors until the end.

“Tonight was a great first game for all of us,” said senior captain Carlyle Scott. “It has definitely set the tone for the rest of the year. The victory just may prove to be the dawning of a season of excellence for the Lady Pirates.”

— Natalie Kerns is a senior player for the Pirates.