By Rhett Workman

Contributing Writer

The Mount Si girls soccer team came on the home field Tuesday, Oct. 20, looking to continue their winning ways. Visiting Juanita Rebels had other ideas, turning the match into a defensive battle.

That was until Mount Si freshman Miranda Rawlings found herself in the right place at the right time, helping the ‘Cats beat the Rebels 1-0. Rawlings’ goal came in the 78th minute as the result of a misplay by Juanita’s goalie. The freshman pounced on the ball and punched it into an empty net for the goal, her first as a high schooler.

“We’ve been waiting for Miranda to start going,” said Mount Si coach Darren Brown. “Miranda’s an explosive playe. She needed a goal, really, for her confidence. The first one is always hard to get.”

Rawlings credited her teammates for the win.

“We picked it up at the end and we started possessing the ball more,” she said.

The win continued the Wildcats’ torrid second half, a repeat of last year’s progression.

“Last year we were 5-0-1 in the second half,” Brown said. “We’re 3-0-1 right now on this season.”

That said, the end result is expected to be different should they win out — Mercer Island at the moment is so far ahead in the standings they are expected to win the league title and automatic state berth.

However, Mount Si has a shot at second place, which would earn them home field advantage for the league playoffs for the right to play a Metro League team for a state berth. Last year’s run earned the Wildcats the league crown and the trip to state.

“I think we’re going to get in; we’re just jockeying for playoff position now,” Brown said.

“I’m going to work hard,” Rawlings said. “And we’re all going to try to work as a team, pick it up and not let down.”

Mount Si is home this week to close out the league schedule Thursday, Oct. 29, against Bellevue. The 7:30 p.m. game is Senior Night, and several Wildcat players, including co-captains Kelly Besmer, Taylor Robbins and Marika Loudenback, will be honored. Others to be honored include Meghan Travis, Lauren Snead and Taylor Warnke.