M-P soccer puts a game in the win column

MARYSVILLE — The Tomahawk soccer team’s first win of the season was so much sweeter coming against a longtime conference rival like Snohomish.

MARYSVILLE — The Tomahawk soccer team’s first win of the season was so much sweeter coming against a longtime conference rival like Snohomish.

“It’s kind of cool for our girls because they’ve had a big thing against them,” said M-P coach Geoff Kittle.

The Tomahawks defeated the Panthers 3-2 in front of a home crowd Sept. 30 to close out the month with a win.

The teams played a scoreless first half before sophomore forward Mady Schoonover headed the ball into the Snohomish goal less than four minutes after halftime. Both in that case and in the case of senior forward Leslie James’ goal in the 69th minute, Snohomish had a quick response, answering with a goal of their own.

The Tomahawks only led for about six minutes of the entire game, but held onto their final lead — a goal by senior Laina Weber — for the last three and a half minutes of the game. Sophomore Danielle Norton, who had resiliently moved the ball up the right sideline all night, earned assists for James and Weber’s goals.

Although the girls marked the win with hugs all around, the celebration on the Marysville sideline was a quiet one as if the team was acknowledging earlier games that had not gone their way.

“To be in every game and let it get away from them has been tough,” said Kittle of a season that included a 1-1 draw against a tough, experienced Everett team. “It’s good for the girls to get through this game mentally. They got it done.”