Ingrid Stein had to grow up a lot faster than she expected this season.
The Southridge sophomore goalkeeper was thrust into a starting role in early September, when the Suns learned all-CBBN keeper Courtney Hancock would not play this season.
That put a lot of pressure on Stein to produce under some pretty heavy circumstances.
"I was nervous what my team was going to say and how they might treat me," said Stein, who plays for U-16 Three Rivers Velocity in club ball.
But produce she has.
Stein made impressive saves on a pair of first-half Hanford breakaways to preserve South-ridge's 3-0 win over the Falcons on Tuesday in Kennewick. She stopped a point-blank drive from Taylor Kain-Godoy in the sixth minute and then dropped down for a kick save when Kie Johnson broke free for an open shot in the 28th minute.
One minute later, Jenna Wallace broke the scoreless tie with her fifth goal of the season, and Southridge was on its way to its sixth straight win.
Stein made three saves for her sixth shutout this season. She has allowed just six goals in 850 minutes -- and average of 0.56 goals a game.
"She's been doing that for us all year. She's been very steady," said Suns coach Greg Sambrano, who got goals from three different players -- Wallace, Brooke Benecke and Heather Johnson.
"This year's team is starting to peak," Sambrano continued. "We changed some things around and we seem to be responding."
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Southridge, Johnson double up Hanford 2-1
Southridge, Johnson double up Hanford 2-1
KENNEWICK -- Heather Johnson is used to getting a lot of attention on a soccer field.
Luckily for the Southridge girls soccer team, she knows how to use that to her advantage.
Johnson, the 2010 3A player of the year, scored a goal and assisted on Hannah Sanders' eventual game-winner Tuesday during the Suns' 2-1 CBBN 3A victory at Southridge High School.
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
Southridge's Johnson thinking forward to 100th goal
The last time Southridge forward Heather Johnson faced the Hanford Falcons in a CBBN 3A girls soccer match, she got a taste of her own medicine.
The top-ranked Suns and No. 5 Falcons were tied 5-all after 90 minutes of regulation and overtime. But with starting goalkeeper Ingrid Stein still injured, Southridge coach Greg Sambrano called on Johnson to step in as the Suns' shootout goaltender.
"It's a lot of pressure. I totally feel for them now. It's scary and nerve-wracking," said Johnson, who went on to make a save in Southridge's eventual 4-2 shootout win.
Southridge knocked out of playoffs
Southridge knocked out of playoffs
KENNEWICK -- The seniors on the Southridge girls soccer team wanted their final game to be an emotional one.
But this wasn't the type of emotion they had in mind.
The Suns ended their dream season a little prematurely with a 1-0 loss to Eastside Catholic on Tuesday in Kennewick in the first round of the Class 3A state tournament.
Southridge, Johnson have nights to remember
Southridge, Johnson have nights to remember
KENNEWICK -- Years from now, when Heather Johnson recalls scoring the 100th goal of her high school career, she'll remember many of the details that made the night special on a frigid November evening at Southridge High School.
The Suns' all-state senior forward will recall watching the ball come off her left foot and make the slow, excrutiating journey inside the right post. She'll remember Southridge coach Greg Sambrano calling for the ball before the ensuing kickoff, making sure to set it aside so she could cherish the memory later.
Mostly, Johnson will remember that her historic goal was critical to her team's latest triumph, a 4-3 win over University in the 3A Eastern Washington regional semifinals Wednesday.
Southridge soccer improves to 18-0
Southridge soccer improves to 18-0
KENNEWICK -- Both teams were already locked into the 3A state tournament when Kamiakin and Southridge met Saturday for the regional title at Southridge High School.
Even though both teams had little to lose, however, both sides played like their playoff lives depended on it.
In the end, the Suns pulled out a 3-1 shootout win after a 1-1 tie in regulation, giving Southridge its first regional championship. It was a typical Suns-Braves battle, meaning nothing came easy for either team.
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