LCC women's soccer begins the year with a competitive record

With a record of 4-2-2, the women's soccer team is off to a strong start.

The season began long before the beginning of Fall term and the women's soccer team is showing that the season has a lot to offer Titan fans.

"We've been going since July and they're just now starting to believe in the system that we've been trying to teach them," Head Soccer Coach Dean Smith said.

Facing its first opponent back on Aug. 24, the Titans slaughtered Everett Community College 4-0. Sophomore Kayla Stewart, scored two of the four goals for her team.

Walla Walla Community College was able to defeat the Titans in the Sept. 4 match. Freshman Jaime Addington tied the score, contributing a goal at 58 minutes into the game. The final score was Walla Walla 3, LCC 1.

The following day, another loss was suffered, this time through a 0-3 defeat to Treasure Valley Community College.

The women's soccer team turned it around after the TVCC shutout with a tie against Clackamas Community College on Sept. 9. Stewart was the sole scorer for the Titans, grasping a goal at the 88 minute mark. Returning player Taylor Tomlin was credited with an assist.

The first of two wins against Yakima Valley Community College was earned on Sept. 12 in the first away game of the season. In the 2-0 shutout, Sabel Maguine, a sophomore defender, and Addington scored goals. Addington was also credited with an assist for Maguine's goal. Two yellow cards were handed out to YVCC players during the game.

In the second win against YVCC, taking place over a week later on Sept. 20 on the LCC home field, the Titans shut out the Yaks 3-0. Scoring early in the game, at 16 minutes, freshman Mackenzie Fegels put one past the YVCC goalie with an assist from another first year Titan, Malina Wiebe.

The two other goals were scored by Maguine at 58 minutes and Weibe at 89 minutes. Other key players included returning Titan Briana Lagumina and Addington.

On Sept. 13, the Titans faced Wenatchee Valley College on the
road, leaving the teams with a 2-2 tie. The two goals were scored by Wiebe and Maguine.

LCC would face WVC again Sept. 19, this time securing a 2-1 win. Stewart, assisted by Wiebe, scored for the Titans at the 11-minute mark, in answer to an early goal snatched by the WVC Knights. Freshman forward Katlyn Shaw scored the winning goal 70 minutes into the game.

Among the ultimate goal of reaching the playoffs and securing a championship for LCC, Smith says that he hopes to see the players "rise to their true potential." He observed that the team has a tremendous amount of talent, the 19 women in total with only six sophomores, and are just beginning to show that they can use their skills to not only win games but also to play as a well-oiled team.

In 2007, the women of the Titan soccer team finished second in the Southern region of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges, earning them playoff privilege.

By: Taryn Ackelson
The Torch