Community Sports

Sports Beat | Gig Harbor’s Heikkila up to her old (hat) tricks

The Gig Harbor (4-0, 3-0 Puget Sound League) girls soccer team convincingly defeated Peninsula (1-3, 0-2), 6-1, behind a hat trick by Karin Heikkila at Roy Anderson Field on Sept. 18.

The Tides played a complete game with pinpoint passing and a smothering defense to dominate their crosstown rivals.

First half flurry

The first of Heikkila’s three goals came just five minutes into the contest, when senior midfielder Sage Sturrock booted a perfect 30-yard pass high in the air, giving Heikkila time to sprint after it.

A Seahawk defender was in the area, but the Ferrari was already in fifth gear when the ball landed. Heikkila raced past the defender and took two dribbles before blasting a shot to the left corner.

Karin Heikkila had a hat trick during a Sept. 18 game against Peninsula. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Sturrock got another assist shortly thereafter. Her pass led freshman Violet Lester into an open area, and she got past a defender before smacking a shot to the left side of goal at the 27-minute mark.

Heikkila scored again a few minutes later off an assist from Elizabeth Hayes.

The Bermuda Triangle of Sturrock, Hayes and Heikkila was in complete control and had the Seahawks disoriented.

“Sage, B (Hayes) and I have played together since we were five and that has definitely created really good chemistry between us,” Heikkila said. “We all know how each other plays and where we want the ball to go.

“I think Sage deserves a ton of credit tonight for all the dirty work she did that most people don’t notice. She completely dominated in the midfield and set everything up.”

Elizabeth Hayes (left) had two assists for Gig Harbor in the 6-1 win. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Floodgates open

Sophomore forward Nadia Schwab added a fourth goal and Tides coach Robyn Saathoff started to substitute before the first half ended.

Peninsula’s best chances for goals were on free and corner kicks by Maya Rogers, who deserves credit for her accuracy and imagination. But the Tides defense, led by Ryan Rodacker and Molly Leverett, diffused any threats in the first half.

Heikkila struck again 10 minutes into the second half to make the score 5-0. This time she did it herself, coming up with a loose ball between defenders and firing a left footer that found the net.

“The hat trick for sure feels so good, especially being a senior and being able to win it like that with all my best friends,” Heikkila said. “Going into the game, I was pretty nervous, I kind of had the mindset that this could possibly be the last time ever playing (Peninsula), so I really wanted to just give 100% and not have any regrets. I am really happy with my performance.”

Nadia Schwab scored twice for Gig Harbor. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Olimpico

Peninsula could never really get on track. One of their prime scoring threats, Ella Coates, was not available to play in the game and striker Nora Sutherland was covered like a blanket. Rogers avoided the shutout in the second half with the game’s prettiest goal.

She sent a corner kick high into the air. It had so much spin on it that it bent 15 feet in the air before smashing into the far side net, a foot under the crossbar. No goalie would have had a chance to defend Roger’s perfect shot, which is what soccer fans call an Olimpico.

Schwab closed out the scoring by controlling a tricky, high bouncing ball before firing a difficult left footer into the goal.

The lopsided victory should put the rest of the league on notice that a conference title will probably have to go through Gig Harbor this year. The Tides have beaten three quality PSL teams by a combined score of 22-2.

Peninsula goalie Brooklyn Finch lays on the turf after a Tides goal as defender Heidi Tenzler looks away. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Early showdown for Gig Harbor volleyball

The Gig Harbor volleyball team (3-1 overall and PSL) cruised past the Mount Tahoma Thunderbirds, 3-0, at home on Sept. 18 to stay near the top of the league standings.

Three standout seniors lead the Tides. Libero Payton Heim is a returning all-league player who is the Tides’ heartbeat and gives all-out effort every time she’s on the court. She is often passing to another all-conference player, outside hitter Maggie Maharry, who has explosive leaping ability and an impressive skill set.

The Tides have length in 6-foot middle blocker Hannah Artman, a formidable presence in the middle for coach Slade Klein. Two other 6-footers, sophomore Kylie Goranson and freshman Maecie Harrison, await their chance to shine.

The Gig Harbor High School volleyball team.

Gig Harbor had a big win to start the season at Lincoln, 3-2, before returning home to sweep Bellarmine, 3-0. Silas handed the Tides their only loss, 3-2, on Sept. 16.

Gig Harbor will look to continue its winning ways against unbeaten Central Kitsap (4-0, 4-0) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23,  in the Tides’ gym.

Peninsula gets on track after brutal early schedule

Peninsula (1-3) started the volleyball season slowly, but has faced probably the toughest league schedule so far. League leaders Timberline, North Thurston and Lakes defeated the Seahawks, but a Katrina Cardinal-coached team was not going to stay winless for long.

The Seahawks got in the win column with a 3-2 home victory over Capital on Sept. 18.

Former Seahawks star Ziah Sneva is now smashing volleyballs for the WSU Cougars, but they return Cardinal’s daughter, Kate. The younger Cardinal was an all-conference libero last year and is like a second coach on the floor.

Peninsula also has height along the front line. Senior Emma Young, a 6-foot-1 high jump star in the spring, is an impressive athlete. Junior Leah Schmidt, at 6-foot-1, controls the middle, while 6-foot senior Indi Ballard completes a towering front wall.

Peninsula hosts River Ridge at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 23.

The Peninsula High volleyball team.

Tough Week 2 for local football teams

Both local teams lost to talented opponents during Week 2 of the high school football season.

Gig Harbor (1-1) dropped a 39-20 decision at Eastlake, the fifth-ranked Class 4A team in the state. Ian Shearer collected 135 rushing yards and touchdown on just 11 carries, while freshman running back James Castaneda introduced himself with 103 yards on 14 rushes. Senior Troy Arnold also got into the end zone for the Tides with a 26-yard catch.

The Tides now travel to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Lake City High School. Lake City beat the Tides 35-16 in Gig Harbor last year. The Tides play at Roy Anderson Field for the first time this year on Sept. 26 against Lincoln.

Peninsula (0-2) gets its first true home game against Bonney Lake at 7 p.m. Sept. 19. The Seahawks lost to Class 4A Curtis, 23-0, on Sept. 11 and dropped the Fish Bowl, 35-21.

Curtis features former Gig Harbor running back and linebacker Ryland Geldermann. The Vikings kept the Seahawks off the scoreboard with a suffocating defensive effort that resulted in three fumble recoveries.

Bright spots for the Seahawks included senior Trevor Bingham’s seven catches on offense and Kainoa Coit’s eight tackles. Jett Ortega and Royal Charles had six tackles each. Junior defensive lineman Asher Epstein had 1.5 sacks against Curtis and also got loose for a 24-yard reception on offense.