Connell prepared for Final Four soccer challenge

It has been six seasons since the Connell High School girls soccer team last made the Class 1A state semifinals.

It would be a mistake, however, to dismiss this Eagles team as one that doesn’t have the big-game experience to win at the Final Four, which begins Friday at Shoreline Stadium.

“Since both Cierra (Vickerman) and I play club, we know what it takes to win big games,” Connell senior midfielder Jessica Garcia said.

Connell (15-5) will face Cascade-Leavenworth (17-1) at 4 p.m. Friday for the right to play in the Class 1A state championship game.

“I have told the girls that from here on to have fun, but make sure to work hard and take advantage of the opportunity that has been presented to them,” said Eagles coach Hugo Garcia, who has led Connell to five semifinal berths (2002-04, 2009, 2015) and a Class 2A state title in 2003. “Jessica has been telling the team that her dream is to play in the Final Four before she graduates.”

She gets to check that off her list Friday, but Jessica Garcia, who led the Eagles with 23 goals and 20 assists this season, wouldn’t mind taking home a state title, either.

She will need help from fellow seniors Judith Artiaga and Lilibeth Rodriguez, as well as Mattie Mauseth and Vickerman, who have made quite an impact as freshmen.

Though Connell has outscored teams 78-35 this season, Jessica (no relation to coach Garcia) credits the defense — Artiaga, Ilse Enriquez, Ana Lopez, Ashton Riner and goalkeeper Morgan Smith — for keeping the back line clear.

“They are tough in back,” Jessica said. “When they need to defend, they’re always there when we make mistakes up top.

“I think we’re ready. We work hard as a team, and we work hard until the whistle blows.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 8:03 PM with the headline "Connell prepared for Final Four soccer challenge."