11/5/23

Central Kitsap 2, Silas 1

In a winner-to-state matchup between two teams hailing from the PSL Narrows, the Silas Rams took on the Central Kitsap Cougars. Central Kitsap came into the game 13-2 and in second place in the league behind Gig Harbor. Silas came into the game 9-5 and in fourth place in the PSL Narrows. The Cougars had already defeated Silas twice on the season, but knew that winning three times was a tough task at hand. What unfolded was a war of grit and determination between the teams in a down-to-the-wire showdown.

First Half

Central Kitsap immediately got to work to open the first half. Keeping the ball in their possession and controlling the game at their own pace. The Cougars’ defense got started early, with great steals and clearances that kept Silas at bay. Silas matched Central Kitsap’s aggressiveness as the game progressed, and no one seemed to have the upper hand for a while. The Cougar’s Maleia Dayao caught steam and cut in and out between defenders for a couple of shots on goal and great passes to her teammates. None of these strikes would connect as the goalkeeper, Natalie Medalia, played great defense for Silas. The first goal of the game would come from Dayao, however, in the 23rd minute. She unleashed a beautiful strike from 20 yards out that soared over the head of Medalia and into the back of the net.

Both teams continued to exchange possessions and shots, but nothing fell through. In the final minutes of the half, Silas had what looked to be a goal after the ball almost escaped from Cougar’s goalie, Emerson Welborn. The referees called the goal off and said that Welborn had control of the ball for enough time yo be a save. Despite the no goal, this gave Silas a huge burst of energy that they would carry into the second half.

Second Half

Silas came out hot in the second half and took control of the game. That momentum shift to end the first half carried on and the Rams put Central Kitsap on the back foot. Just five minutes in, in the 45th minute, Grace Cook was fed an amazing pass from Lauren Meade. Cook fired a skying shot over the head of Welborn and in for the goal to tie the game. Silas continued to apply pressure to the Cougars but the defense became impenetrable from that point on. Emerson Welborn single handedly put a stop to multiple different potential goals from Silas. Her skills were tested and she lived up to the task. In the 60th minute, after a header from Mailey Dayao, Kenzie Williams found the ball in her hands with no one in front of her but the goalie. She fired a shot going left to right and into the net to take the 2-1 lead.

Silas continued to push down the field and had many different opportunities to score, whether it be from corner kicks or open space to fire at will. The defense for Central Kitsap was too much, though, led by Welborn at goalie, who made save after save. Prestle Agana and Olivia Juarez also made a big impact on the back lines for the Cougars. In the final minutes of the game, Silas was relentless and had shot after shot going towards the goal. The heart that the Rams displayed was amazing to witness, and they would not stop trying until the final whistle. Unfortunately for Silas, the time would expire, and Central Kitsap would take the win 2-1.

MVP and Stats

Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Emerson Welborn. She single-handedly saved the game multiple times for the Cougars and prevented about 5 should have been goals with miraculous saves. She had 11 saves on the day, and many of them were heroic plays that were the difference maker in the match. Prestle Agana and Olivia Juarez had great days on defense for Central Kitsap. Maleia Dayao was the first to get on the board for Central Kitsap with a goal in the 23rd minute. Finally, Kenzie Williams gave the Cougars the lead with her one-on-one goal in the 60th minute.

Silas played an amazing game and was competitive until the last second. Goalkeeper Natalie Medalia had 11 saves on the day and was great in the goal box for the Rams. Lauren Meade had an assist on the day and was the leading offensive force all night for Silas. Grace Cook tied the game 1-1 with an amazing shot in the 45th minute off the assist from Meade as well. A hard-fought battle between two teams that know each other well.

With the win, Central Kitsap will advance to the state tournament and face White River in the district semi-finals. This game will take place on Thursday, November 6th, at Federal Way Memorial Stadium with a 5:00 pm start time. Silas’s season is not over as they will have to win two loser-out games to go to state. They will face River Ridge in a loser-out match on November 6th at Harry E. Lange Stadium with a 5:00 pm start time.

ESN Post Game Show

Game Highlights

Maleia Dayao Puts Central Kitsap on the Board in the 23rd Minute

Grace Cook Ties the Game on an Assist from Lauren Meade

Kenzie Williams Give Central Kistap the Lead off Header Assist