Undefeated WR girls headed to district soccer

The first district game is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

The White River High girls’ soccer team polished off an undefeated regular season, completed a two-game South Puget Sound League 2A tourney and are now headed into West Central District play.

The Hornets were dominant in building an 11-0-1 mark in league play, winning the SPSL East Division, while finishing 13-0-2 during the regular season.

The only slight blemishes on White River’s otherwise perfect slate were a scoreless tie against Fife and a 1-1 tie during a nonleague battle against Eastlake. Fife finished as the SPSL West Division Champion and Eastlake went 5-0-3 to finish second in the Class 4A KingCo Conference.

With a league title to their credit, coach Joe Birklid and his Hornets competed Oct. 26 in the opening round of the SPSL 2A tournament. Based on their stellar record and strength of schedule, the Hornets earned the No. 1 seed into the eight-team tourney.

Playing at Franklin Pierce Stadium, White River started against Lindbergh High and rolled to a 3-1 victory. That set up a rematch with the Fife Trojans, who won their SPSL tournament opener, beating Orting 1-0. White River and Fife squared off Monday evening at Arrow Lumber Stadium on the White River campus; the Hornets won 1-0.

Monday’s winner heads into West Central District play as the No. 1 seed from the league tourney and Monday’s loser advances as No. 2. Each will receive a first-round bye and not compete until Nov. 5 at Franklin Pierce Stadium.

White River needs just one victory in the WCD tournament to advance to the state tourney.

Postseason play caps a regular season in which the Hornets outscored their opponents 56-7, posting 10 shutouts in their 15 games.