Reporter staff

Two Island youth soccer teams, the Bobcats and the Comos played their way into the final game of the President’s Cup, the highest level of tournament play for recreational youth soccer teams in Washington, on Sunday, Dec. 3.

The Bobcats had to work their way through through the District competition, then defeat several other district champions from around the State to earn the right to play for the state championship.

The Bobcats, many of whom have played together since second grade, played hard in the final, despite having few substitutes, and playing in near-freezing conditions. The playing field resembled a muddy ice rink at game time. The Bobcats played a talented Olympia team, but wound up on the short end of 1-0 match. Playing four games in two days with a depleted team was tough for the Bobcats. Coach Tom Adams, together with Coaches Nils Olsen, JR Hanschen and Bruce Bassett, kept the Bobcats focused. This is likely the last year the Bobcats will be playing together as a recreational team as some girls will move on to higher levels of soccer. Despite the disappointing loss in the Championship match, the Bobcats finished their 2006 season with a combined record of 16-1-1.

The Bobcats are fifth graders, mostly from Lakeridge, Meredith Adams, Emily Bassett, Hannah Ehlers, Paulina Glass (W. Mercer), Kelly Hanschen, Caroline Kasman, Tara Lawrence, Emily Lightfoot (St.Monica), Arianna Moscatel, Emily Olsen, Makenna Pellerin and Mary Wingerson (W. Mercer.).

The MIYS boys team, the Cosmos, also made the trip to Shelton and played in the U-11 President’s Cup final. They too came up just short of the title but had a highly successful season.