SNOHOMISH. Glacier Peak’s girls soccer team sought a spark in the second half of its Tuesday contest against Jackson, and junior Zoe Grose delivered just that.
The match remained goalless at the break, but Grose ignited the Grizzlies’ momentum early in the second half. On the kickoff, she read a slow back pass from Jackson’s center circle, sprinted past the defense, and drove toward the right post. Jackson goalkeeper Chloe Lewis reacted quickly, blocking the attempt, but the near-goal sparked confidence and set the tone for what was to come.
“I typically look to capitalize on rebounds if the shot deflects off me, but on this play, the ball was moving at a steady pace,” Grose noted. “I committed to a sprint, tried to get it on frame, and though I aimed for the lower right corner, it still worked out. I’m just focusing on the next one.”
Her prediction proved accurate: ten minutes later, Grose reclaimed control near the top of the penalty area and sent a well-placed strike into the upper near corner, just beneath the crossbar and over Lewis’s outstretched hands. The goal gave Glacier Peak a 1-0 edge.
The Grizzlies (6–3–1 overall, 2–1–1 in league play) weathered the storm after junior Reese Edwards picked up a second yellow card with just over 17 minutes remaining, forcing the team to finish with ten players. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Glacier Peak maintained composure and secured a pivotal league victory over Jackson (6–3–1, 1–2–0).
Coach Malloy Leahy, in her first season directing the program after succeeding longtime mentor Melinda Torre, observed a clear shift in tempo and urgency. “The opening frame was fairly balanced, though we weren’t quite matching the intensity we’ve shown in other matches,” Leahy said. “So entering the second half, our emphasis was on injecting more energy and tempo, and it turned out that playing short-handed actually lifted our energy to its highest point, which was especially encouraging.”
Leahy, who previously served as an assistant on the varsity squad and coached both the Snohomish JV boys and multiple club teams, is now shaping the program’s identity. Drawing from her own background as a Division I athlete, she has worked to maintain the program’s established culture while integrating her coaching approach, balancing tactical adjustments with relationship-building.
Players have responded to the structure and intention behind each session, particularly the increased use of film analysis and targeted problem-solving during matches. Grose highlighted the team’s progress in building attacks from the back, a development visible in recent performances. After stumbling to a 0–1–1 start in league play, Glacier Peak has now won two consecutive contests.
“When we’re mentally locked in and focused, our performance matches our potential,” Leahy said. “Confidence grows when we trust one another. As a new coach, earning that trust has been essential, and we’ve settled into a productive rhythm. Early on, there was a learning curve, but now our communication and mutual trust have become foundational.”
Soccer: Timberwolves Seek Stability Amid Coaching Turnover
Jackson High School is navigating another transition period on the sidelines, with first-year coach James Valles taking the helm as the program's third different leader in as many seasons. Unlike previous eras marked by long-term continuity, Valles is tasked with establishing a foundation of stability for the Timberwolves.
The squad initially found success under Valles' direction, securing seven victories in their first eight matches, highlighted by a five-game winning run between Sept. 15 and Sept. 28. However, momentum has recently shifted, with the team suffering a 2-1 setback against Lake Stevens on Oct. 1, followed by a Tuesday loss to Glacier Peak, marking consecutive defeats for the first time this season.
Injuries have impacted the roster, though Valles has declined to use physical setbacks as an explanation for the recent string of losses, noting that both defeats were decided by single-goal margins.
Valles emphasized that his primary objective is to rebuild trust and instill confidence in the squad. He stated that he is focused on providing a stable environment to help the players develop as competitors, though he acknowledges the need to improve the team's ability to link passes effectively. Valles asserted that the team has remained competitive in every match they have played, describing soccer as a game of chance where wins and losses fluctuate. Following the most recent loss, Valles accepted full responsibility for the outcome, stating he failed to prepare the team adequately.
Valles observed that Glacier Peak demonstrated superiority in aerial challenges and physical play, particularly in tackling speed. He noted that the opposition's front line possesses aggressive shooting capabilities, making it difficult for defenders to manage them.
The match remained scoreless through the first half. Glacier Peak began to dominate possession around the 10th minute, generating set-piece opportunities that the Timberwolves defense successfully repelled. Neither side could establish a prolonged period of possession, with near-misses occurring for both teams in quick succession.
As the first half concluded, a Glacier Peak attacker broke behind the defensive line for a clear shot, but Jackson's goalkeeper made the stop to preserve a 0-0 scoreline going into the interval. The Grizzlies used the break to discuss increasing their energy levels.
The second half began with a breakaway attempt by Glacier Peak's Grose, who was denied by the defense. Jackson responded immediately with a counter-attack that delivered two crosses into the penalty area in the 43rd minute, though neither resulted in a goal. Glacier Peak regained control of the match's tempo, building pressure until Grose scored in the 50th minute. Grose noted that the turning point for the Grizzlies came when they began winning 50-50 balls, shifting the momentum in their favor.
The Grizzlies maintained their lead following the goal. Glacier Peak's goalkeeper, Makena Rudolph, made a crucial save in the 52nd minute. Shortly after, on the 54th minute, Guerrero-Menendez executed a tackle on freshman Stella Ford along the left flank to prevent another scoring chance.
Glacier Peak regained control in the second half with a well-placed effort from Grose in the 60th minute, followed shortly after by a cross from junior Giada Oliden that set up a corner opportunity in the 61st. However, the momentum was interrupted in the 63rd when Edwards received her second yellow of the evening, reducing the visitors to ten players. In response, coach Leahy adjusted the lineup by inserting an additional defender into the backline and emphasized maintaining composure and intelligent decision-making while defending the narrow advantage.
Leahy stressed the importance of staying disciplined, encouraging the squad to remain patient and deliberate, especially under pressure. She noted that while longer balls were acceptable, the team should avoid unnecessary haste and instead seek out structured passing options as they arose.
Senior Penelope Holst delivered a pivotal intervention in the 65th minute, positioning herself to block a shot from McCoys outside the penalty area. Later, Burgmaier came close to extending the lead with a free kick that struck the far post in the upper left corner. Despite sustained pressure from the Timberwolves in the closing stretch, Rudolph preserved the lead with a pair of key saves, stopping a strike from junior Gina DiRe-Roberts in the 72nd and later denying Ella Van Eerdewegh, who had received a pass from McCoy deep into stoppage time.
As Glacier Peak looked to hold on, junior Abbie Hui and Guerrero-Menendez each delivered vital defensive clears during a sustained offensive surge from the home side, who repeatedly won possession after clearing the ball and looked to build from the back. Though the Timberwolves pressed hard, their efforts ultimately fell short on time.
Up next for the Grizzlies is a non-conference matchup against Stanwood on Thursday, followed by the final stretch of league play. With seven points apiece entering the week, Glacier Peak stands level atop the Wesco 4A standings alongside Lake Stevens, though the Vikings hold a match in hand.
Guerrero-Menendez highlighted the psychological aspect of remaining competitive at the top, noting that consistency in mindset and adherence to established standards are vital, even as physical fatigue builds. She emphasized that maintaining focus and confidence is now just as critical as tactical execution.