Wednesday the Steelheads played the Kent Crusaders in a much anticipated match. Both youth girls teams came on to the pitch as undefeated this season. The game was between the two top perennial girls teams in Washington. Kent has won every state title (second in league play to Budd Bay in 2008) and has only lost to one Washington team. That team was Budd Bay.
Kent is a much bigger and more experienced team, and the Steelheads' coaches knew this would be a tough match.
The Crusaders used their kicking game and exploited turnovers to score two early tries and shocked Budd Bay somewhat. But, the Steelheads came back. Tracy Backhaus, who played center and flyhalf, showed them that Budd Bay backs can run with any one's. That pressure did not yield points however. Kent scored twice more due to some mistakes by the Steelheads making it a 22-0 lead.
Late in the first half, a brilliant run from Steelheads' full back Kelsi Stockert, set the ladies up in Kent's 22. Then, the forwards worked hard to get that ball over the line. Try scored by Malory Salazar with help from the entire team! The momentum continued and another try was scored by scrumhalf Sam VanHarmelen making the score 22-10.
The last 20 minutes of the match Kent's fitness and size began to show more on the Steelheads and the Crusaders won the match 49-10. "I know for a fact they are not 40 points better than us" said the head coach Tim housh. "Our players worked hard and learned a great deal. I was very very proud of what they did. We have a lot to work on, but I think now they know what it takes to play at the top level."
