When Kirk Tavener took over the Lindbergh girls soccer program before this season, people in the know told him it would be a rebuilding season. The thought was that after losing a coach and nine seniors, the Eagles simply didn’t have enough experience to succeed right away.
That attitude echoed into tryouts as only 15 girls turned out for the team.
Now on the eve of the postseason, it appears they were all wrong. The Eagles went 11-3-2 on the season and finished second in the Seamount. All of that with 15 total players and a number of freshmen and sophomores playing big roles.
“I don’t think people thought we were going to do much this year,” Tavener said. “These girls have done a phenomenal job for what we have.”
Lindbergh didn’t only post an impressive record, but the team got visibly better against top Seamount competition as the season progressed.
When the Eagles first faced Highline, they tied 1-1. They won 1-0 the second time around. Against Mount Rainier, they lost 3-1 first then tied 2-2 second. Against Hazen, they won close 2-1 then won 4-0 the second time around.
The quick rebuild was all about Tavener’s change in style and getting the best players in the best spots.
“We just happened to get the right ladies to play the right positions,” Tavener said. “The cohesiveness really helps. We have a wide variety of girls from seniors to freshman playing on the team.”
Twelve Lindbergh players made all-league teams.
Nicole Burnette, Lauren Hunter, Elise Aylward, Meghan Hansen and Audrey Cunningham all made the first team.
Burnette, a senior forward, led the team with 19 goals. Hunter is a senior defender. Aylward is a freshman midfielder that scored seven goals and collected seven assists. Hansen is also a freshman midfielder. Cunningham is a freshman keeper.
Jami Kouba, Kaitlyn Osborn, Whitney Hilde, Jordyn McLuen and Kimi Girmus made the second team.
Seann Padriga and Erin Johnson made honorable mention.
Lindbergh will face Enumclaw at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium at 5:30 Wednesday in the Seamount/SPSL 3A sub-district tournament. The Eagles are guaranteed a berth into districts.
