By Kevin Hanson

The Courier-Herald

The Enumclaw High Hornets split a pair of postseason soccer contests, but in the loser-out world of West Central District play, a single loss means the end of the line.

The senior-laden Hornets saw a successful season come to a disappointing conclusion Saturday afternoon, in the form of a 2-0 setback at the hands of the Columbia River High Chieftains. Enumclaw’s postseason experience had kicked off Nov. 4 with a 2-0 victory over the Lindbergh Eagles in subdistrict play.

Both postseason games were at Sunset Chev Stadium at Sumner High School.

Coach Shawn Tobius said getting eliminated from tourney play was especially difficult because Saturday’s loss was the final game in Enumclaw High colors for most of his squad. His varsity team includes 11 seniors and two Hornets, Noelle Bauer and Dani Streuli, have spent four years on the team.

Saturday’s loss was also difficult, Tobius said, because his team simply didn’t play its best.

“We just had an off day,” he said. “It seemed like nothing would go right.

“I’m not taking anything away from Columbia River, they’re a good team,” Tobius said, “but we just didn’t come ready to play.”

Both of the Chieftains’ goals came in the first half, one at 15 minutes and the other in the 34th minute.

During the subdistrict victory over Lindbergh, the Hornets and Eagles battled for 50 minutes without a goal – until Lindbergh scored on Enumclaw’s behalf. The Hornets’ Emily Meeks drilled a crossing pass in front of the Lindbergh goal and an Eagle defender – attempting to clear the ball from dangerous territory – accidentally directed the shot into her own goal.

Enumclaw added some security with a second goal at the 73-minute mark. Kaycie Morrison did the scoring honors, taking a pass from Claire Meeks that had originated with a corner kick.

The Hornets finished the 2009 campaign with an overall record of 12-4-1. The team’s 7-1 mark in South Puget Sound League 3A action was good for second place.