Kamiakin soccer coach in battle of her life

KENNEWICK -- Just a couple more seasons.

Lloyd Erikson has heard that line more than once from his wife of 38 years, Kamiakin girls soccer coach Chris Erikson.

It's actually less of a promise and more of a standing plea to let her stay close to the game she has grown to love since she first became the Braves coach in 1987.

"Lloyd just sighs. He's just like, 'Ohhh-kaayy,' " Chris said, smiling. "He tells me that he's going to be better next year."

In truth, as much as Lloyd longs to visit the couple's four children and five grandchildren living in three different time zones, the last thing he would do is take his wife away from a sport that has fed her soul for so many years.

Especially during this season, when she may need it the most.

"One day early in the season, I said to one of our assistants, 'Practice is the best part of the day for me.' He said, 'Me, too,' " she said.

"You just come in and see young people and their smiling faces. They're laughing and talking about their dates, just chattering away for the first 20 minutes of practice."

Last summer, Chris was diagnosed with Stage 3 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes. The news came as a shock, but she wasn't about to let cancer take over her world.

Instead Erikson, 57, got busy.

Immediately, she started a series of chemotherapy treatments -- she's had eight so far -- and didn't give fear a chance to creep in. Even her deepest concerns didn't stop her from coming back this season.

"I didn't really think about not coaching," she said. "The first thing I said to the doctor was, 'I need to coach in the fall.' "

She broke the news to a team anchored by eight seniors, which responded with unwavering support. The Braves began wearing yellow wristbands that read "Team Erikson," and they have shown their coach a spirit and maturity that goes well beyond the pitch.

"She's fighting a battle that you know only if you've been through it," said Shelby Bigness, a senior defender. "(The bands) were something we decided on over the summer to show her everything that she's done for us. We want to give that support back to her."

Others are grateful for the lessons she has imparted upon them.

"I used to hate soccer. It was probably my worst fear," said Brianna Brannan, a senior defender. "She just kept pushing me and pushing me, telling me I can do it, even though I wanted to give up on myself."

A former cheerleader at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Chris later focused her competitive energy on field hockey.

"She would just pound people with sticks," said Lloyd, 60, who met her during a chance encounter at a gym at UW-M in 1970. He and his brothers were walking in while she and her teammates were walking out. "Three seconds either way, and we probably never would have met."

It wasn't long before Chris was bringing her trademark intensity to her coaching career.

"She used to be my-way-or-the-highway, a really rigid format," Lloyd said. "You still need discipline to get things done, but she's mellowed a lot."

Chris admitted she's a little more soft-spoken this season "probably because I don't have the energy I like I did before." She doesn't doubt that her fight with cancer has given players and parents -- even fellow coaches -- a chance to show a more compassionate side.

"The thing that stands out is the cooperation players have shown between themselves and with me," she said. "They just have a very mature attitude about problem solving."

The players have been more than happy to help. They're also glad their coach hasn't lost any of the playfulness that has endeared her to them over her career.

"I love how she gets into our warmup music," said senior midfielder Emilee Meyer. "She'll be over there bouncing around saying, 'I like this song.' "

Erikson said her faith has been a big part of dealing with cancer. She cherished a recent opportunity to address Kamiakin students during a "Pink Week" assembly to promote awareness and raise funds for breast cancer research.

"I wanted the chance to share how much it means to go to God first with a problem," she said. "My kids ask me what I want for Christmas. My first thing is praying and faith in Christ."

When Kamiakin (18-1-1) plays Issaquah (16-2) in the 4A state semifinals at Harry E. Lang Stadium in Lakewood at 6 p.m. today, the Braves will put a 14-match winning streak on the line for a shot at their first state championship berth since 1999 and third under Erikson's tenure.

Kamiakin reached the state title game in 1994 and 1999, but lost both times.

"From the very beginning, they were thinking 'Win state.' In fact, they kind of overlooked the (CBBN) championship," she said, laughing. "They were focused, thinking about this from the get-go."

In 23 years as Kamiakin coach, Erikson has won 325 games -- a Washington state record, according to the NSCAA/adidas Web site -- to go with 11 district titles and 16 state appearances. But she'll be damned if this season will be remembered for her final victory. She plans to be back for the 2010 season.

"We're anticipating that by next spring she'll be back to her old self," said Lloyd, who has worked at Chris' side as an assistant since her earliest days at Kamiakin and will continue to do so next season. "I promised her recently that I wouldn't be a complainer. I don't want to coach JV -- I've done that for too many years -- but I'll be there helping."

Don't worry, Lloyd. It'll just be for a couple more seasons.

Sigh!

Today's state playoff games

4A state

Issaquah Eagles (16-2) vs. Kamiakin Braves (18-1-1)

6 p.m., Harry E. Lang Stadium, Lakewood

Coaches -- Issaquah: Tom Bunell (6th year); Kamiakin: Chris Erikson (23rd year).

State appearances (Final Fours) -- Issaquah: 5 (5), 3 state championships (3A: 2004, 2006-07). Kamiakin: 16 (5).

Key players -- Issaquah: F Kristen Maris, sr. (18 goals, 6 assists); F Margaret Rauch, jr. (12g, 7a); MF Lindsay Stoll, sr. (9g); MF Dayna Talley, jr. (4g, 6a); GK Brooke Miller, jr. (8 SO). Kamiakin: F Jori Skorpik, sr. (20g, 8a); MF Kristyn Bohlander, soph. (10g, 13a); MF Shelby Gunion, sr. (6g, 3a); MF Macy Brannan, soph. (4g, 8a); GK Madi Meyer, sr. (0.71 GAA, 7 SO).

1A state

Connell Eagles (18-3) vs. Overlake Owls (16-1-3)

2 p.m., Sparks Stadium, Puyallup

Coaches -- Connell: Hugo Garcia (9th year); Overlake: Sally Goodspeed (7th year).

State appearances (Final Fours) -- Connell: 7 (4), 1 championship (2A: 2003). Overlake: 14 (5).

Key players -- Connell: F Brianna Casper, sr. (21g, 7a), F Rosa Hernandez, soph. (16g, 3a); D Rachel Taylor, sr. (6g, 7a); MF Sara McGary, sr. (3g, 9a); GK Maci Whitby, jr. (0.47 GAA, 6 SO). Overlake: F Allison Risa, sr. (18g, 5a); MF Maya Marder, sr. (9g, 6a); MF Tess Edenholm, fr. (7g, 8a); F Susannah Kelly, sr. (6g, 7a); GK Ceci Votta, sr. (9 SO).