Snohomish finds its spark, beats Edmonds-Woodway

SNOHOMISH — During halftime Tuesday, Snohomish girls soccer coach April VanAssche called on her team to find a “game-changer” — someone to take over and spark the Panthers, who trailed Edmonds-Woodway 1-0.

Junior Brooke Pingrey answered the call.

Pingrey scored three goals in the game’s final 17 minutes to lead Snohomish to a 4-3 victory over Edmonds-Woodway in a 4A District 1, winner-to-state playoff game at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Snohomish.

“I was talking at halftime that we needed somebody to be a game-changer, and I asked Brooke to do it a couple times and she stepped up,” VanAssche said. “She owned it. She owned the back of the net.”

Pingrey’s first goal came in the 63rd minute, assisted by Ellie Otteson. Pingrey, who is listed as a defender, got a deflection and launched a strike from about 20 yards out that hit the far right post and bounced in, tying the score 2-2.

Eight minutes later, Pingrey gave the Panthers their first lead. With her back to the goal, she took a pass from Taylor Morrell, spun around and put the ball in the lower far corner past diving Edmonds-Woodway goalkeeper Kierra Towell.

In the 74th minute, Pingrey added a third, completing her hat trick with a shot from about 12 yards out with an assist by Kaytlin Willis.

“The whole time I’m running, I’m just thinking, ‘What run can I make? How can I get the ball,’” Pingrey said. “As soon as I get it it’s pretty much instinct. I don’t even think about it anymore.”

The Panthers needed all three of Pingrey’s goals to maintain their lead. Seconds after taking a 4-2 lead in the 74th minute on Pingrey’s final goal, Edmonds-Woodway freshman Madison Schultz netted her second goal of the game to keep the pressure on Snohomish in the final five minutes.

“I was just thinking, ‘Stop them,’” VanAssche said. “They were relentless on offense. I was just hoping my girls kept their composure. … We talk about it at practices, what to do in situations. I get to do as much as I can at practice and in the game it’s theirs. My job is just to try to facilitate and pray.”

Snohomish (12-3-2 overall) was the No. 1 seed out of the Wesco 4A North conference while Edmonds-Woodway (13-4-1) was the No. 2 team from the South. With the victory, Snohomish earned a spot in the district championship game against Cascade and assured itself of a state berth.

Getting that state berth secured early was a huge source of motivation for the Panthers.

“That was all the motivation. This team’s worked so hard this year,” VanAssche said. “Last year we were (in a) one-in to state, and we came out and lost. That was our motivation for this year. … That’s all they talked about at halftime. It took more goals than we thought but we did it.”

Edmonds-Woodway pressured Snohomish early, getting off three shots on goal in the first 10 minutes. One of those, a strike by sophomore Rylee Peterson, snuck past Panthers’ goalkeeper Taylor Knapinski in the eighth minute to give the Warriors the early lead.

The score remained that way until the 42nd minute, when Morrell, one of two Snohomish seniors, scored on a counter after an E-W corner kick. Makenna Wheeler assisted on the goal.

The Warriors regained the lead 10 minutes later when Schultz scored her first goal of the game off a Peterson assists.

Then Pingrey took over.

“Really the whole time we were playing, what was going through my head, was remembering the last couple years,” Pingrey said. “Whenever we lost at state, remembering the looks on the seniors’ faces. I’d cry for days. And I’m not going to let Morgan (Green) and Taylor (Morrell) go through that. I wanted to win this for them.”

Pingrey and the Panthers fought through a constant rain for 80 minutes, and an Edmonds-Woodway team that seemed like it was always threatening to score.

“We’ve definitely come back in really high scoring games when we were down by two or three goals, so we knew they could do it,” Pingrey said. “(Edmonds-Woodway) is an amazing team, definitely one of the best ones out here. I’m just really proud of my team for working hard.”

And as exciting as Tuesday night’s finish was, Pingrey does have one hope for Thursday’s district championship.

“Hopefully our next game won’t be as high-scoring,” she said with a smile.

At Snohomish H.S.

Goals–Rylee Peterson (E-W), Madison Schultz (E-W) 2, Taylor Morrell (S), Brooke Pingrey (S) 3. Assists–Peterson (E-W), Makenna Wheeler (S), Ellie Otteson (S), Morrell (S), Kaytlin Willis (S). Goalkeepers–Edmonds-Woodway: Kiera Towell. Snohomish: Taylor Knapinski. Records–Edmonds-Woodway 13-4-1 overall. Snohomish 12-3-2.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.