The memorable match against Eastmont last season to make it to State playoffs for the first time may be eclipsed by this year’s fierce fight to State playoffs as the Wenatchee High School girls soccer team move into their second District playoff match against Davis on Nov. 4, winning 2-0, after a win against Sunnyside 2-0 on Nov. 1.

Since the team beat Davis, they will have to play the loser of the Moses Lake vs. West Valley match.

“We’ll have to beat either Moses Lake or West Valley once to go to State, and so far this year we haven’t been able to do that, but we’ve been playing much better soccer as of late,” Coach John Springer said.

The team’s determination to continue the season past District playoffs may be rivaled only by the task of making it to State playoffs, as only the top two teams from the District are sent.

“We can be in the top two, but it will definitely be a challenge because West Valley has consistently beat us. That’s assuming we play them. We’re trying to think of a defense to defeat West Valley’s forward. We’re creating a specific defense to defeat their team,” senior goalie Ashton Blanksma said.

After their hard-earned victory against Eastmont in double-overtime last year, the season was cut short in their first playoff game against Camas, a bitter 4-0 blowout through a series of corner kicks.

“We’ve learned defensively how to shut down corner kicks, and we’ve also learned offensively how to finish plays this year, so we’ll really be relying on the experience of our seniors who’ve played at the State level,” Springer said.

Despite their disappointing loss last year, the State experience has given the team a competitive edge, with nine experienced State players on the team.

“Their experience and heart will carry them a long way. And the freshmen and our one sophomore on the team are gaining confidence. All three classes are working together, and they have to work together to start winning higher level games,” Springer said.

Last year was the first time the team went to the playoffs.