A collective sigh of relief swept through the stands at the sound of Cat Amick’s hard-driven shot off the upright at last week’s Vashon girls soccer match against Orting.

Amick had just received a long pass from Lena DeGuzman at midfield, then followed with two sweet touches to fake out a single defender just inside the penalty area, catching the goalie in a move to defend at the near post. Her ball zinged by the goalie to deflect off the far post and into the net.

Until then, 11 Vashon shot attempts had been defended or missed after an early lead was established by Orting. The score was a free kick from about 30 yards that dropped in the goal just over goalie Courtney Gateman’s outstretched arms. The shot could not have been higher and still make it in under the crossbar.

While Vashon clearly dominated in field play and ball control at midfield, Orting went on to score once more, after 12 more shots on goal by five different Vashon players, each failing to find the back of the net. The final tally showed Vashon with 23 shot attempts to Orting’s six. But shot attempts don’t win games. The score final score was 2-1 in Vashon’s first defeat in league play.

The Pirate’s last home game is 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, against Cascade Christian.

— Bill Griffith is the father of a Vashon soccer player.