The East Jefferson Rivals girls soccer team has had a mixed bag of performances in the past two weeks, with a win, loss, and tie in their past three matches. The team sits at a 4-4-2 record, with two games left in the season.

The girls faced Charles Wright Academy at home Thursday, Oct. 7.

EJ started off on the right foot, as Kaylen Pray scored from distance on the right side of the field with an assist by Audrey Matthes. Midway through the first half, senior captain Clare Johnson finished a pass from Ava Shiflett that started from deep in the Rivals’ own end as they passed the ball to the front on a counter attack.

Right as halftime approached, Ava Shiflett scored on a penalty shot, resulting from a handball in the opposing side’s penalty area.

Clare Johnson added a fourth goal to the board early in the second half, and senior Savanna Hoffman capped off the excellent team performance with a shot around the opposing keeper from Iris Mattern’s leading pass. The Rivals finished with a clean sheet to leave Memorial Field with a 5-0 victory.

The Rivals prepared for a tough matchup against No. 2-ranked Klahowya Secondary School Monday, Oct. 11.

EJ had the home advantage and put up a solid defensive display in the first half, limiting their opponents to outside shots and half chances. The Rivals defense finally cracked, after Klahowya scored a goal from a corner kick.

The opponents continued the pressure, scoring two more goals to put the score at 3-0 at halftime with East Jefferson yet to score.

Defensive errors and continued dominance from Klahowya led to a final score of 7-0 Klahowya, with the Rivals scoreless after a spirited display at the final whistle.

Looking to bounce back from the previous loss, the girls faced Vashon Island High School at home Thursday, Oct. 14.

The girls were off to an early lead in the first 15 minutes, after Kaylen Pray took a pass up the left side from Calia Corden and beat the defender and keeper with a powerful shot to the bottom right corner.

At the beginning of the second half, Vashon Island equalized with an 18-yard shot squeezing past senior goalkeeper Savanna Hoffman’s outstretched hands.

Apart from one goal allowed the Rivals defense came up big, with a grounded display of control in their back half.

East Jefferson’s offense had a frustrating night of almost-goals, as the team dominated but couldn’t capitalize. The game went to overtime, but still ended at a 1-1 tie.

Although league rules tallied the match as a tie, the two teams met for a penalty shootout at the end where the Rivals prevailed after seven nail-biting rounds. The shootout ended 5-4 in favor of EJ, with keeper Savanna Hoffman making two massive saves, and Calia Corden netting the winning penalty.

The girls’ next matchup is against Cascade Christian School Thursday, Oct. 22, and is Senior Night for the team.