In a tale of grit and resurgence, the Mountlake Terrace Hawks girls soccer team, once on the brink of despair with a mere three victories from their initial twelve matches, found themselves aflame with renewed purpose as they charged into the District 1 3A Girls Soccer Tournament. The unexpected return of senior Ava Hunt, sidelined for nearly half the season due to a debilitating quadriceps injury, heralded a shift in fortunes, rekindling the aspirations for a glorious end to the season.
On a gripping Tuesday evening at Everett Memorial Stadium, the Hawks faced the Everett Seagulls. In a nail-biting contest that ebbed and flowed, the clash culminated in a tense penalty shootout following a 1-1 deadlock. Fueled by Hunt’s indomitable spirit, Mountlake Terrace triumphed 4-3 in penalties, inching closer to their dream of a state tournament berth.
Hunt, her thigh bound like a warrior’s trophy, not only played the entire match but also scored a pivotal equalizer in the second half with a powerful shot from 15 yards. “It’s insane,” she expressed after the match, reflecting on the stark contrast between their dismal October 17 record of 3-8-1 and their current momentum.
The Hawks surged into the second half, reeling from a first-half deficit created by a goal from Everett’s senior co-captain, Sienna Kuehn. Rallying together, Hunt and fellow senior Claire August spurred their teammates with a motivational pep talk, igniting a fierce determination to claim victory in what could have been their last match of the season.
Despite a disallowed goal and missed opportunities, the Hawks maintained relentless pressure. Ultimately, the match’s fate was sealed in the shootout, where sophomore goalkeeper Jordyn Stokes emerged as a hero, parrying two attempts from the Seagulls. Hunt expressed her gratitude, “We came out on the good side; I’m just so happy,” she effused, her joy palpable.
Victory now places the Hawks, a No. 11 seed in the tournament, one step away from the coveted state tournament. Awaiting them is the No. 8 seed, Sedro-Woolley Cubs, in an intense winner-to-state match set for Thursday, November 7, at Shoreline Stadium. As the Hawks prepare to soar, the echoes of teamwork and resilience resonate—a fitting prelude to a thrilling saga yet to be written.
Upcoming Match: Mountlake Terrace vs. Sedro-Woolley, Thursday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. at Shoreline Stadium (winner advances to state).
