PHOTO BY RICK WALTER

Amanda Roselli (scoring against Bellarmine, above) and the Fife soccer team have had an impressive start in 2008, with strong performances in recent games against 4-A schools Bellarmine (a 1-1 tie) and Wilson (a 3-0 victory). Roselli scored all four goals in those games. Other victories have come against Lakes, Sumner and White River, leaving the team with a 4-0-1 record. “It is really good for us to go up against great competition,” said coach Teri Shimoda, who knows expectations are high for her defending state champions. In addition to Roselli, last year’s Nisqually League’s 2-A most valuable player, the Trojans have Ryann Waldman, who posted 14 shutouts. Roselli has scored eight goals in Fife’s five games. Bailey Nirider and Haley Shaw each have three goals for the Trojans.

Trojans come from behind to beat Blanchet

By John Larson

Fife held Bishop Blanchet scoreless in the second half in a home game Sept. 19, marking the second consecutive week the Trojan defense has done so, en route to a 20-16 non-conference victory.

Blanchet’s first drive ended when Trojan defensive back Nick Latta picked off a pass at the Fife one-yard line. On the next play Blanchet defensive lineman Tom Files tackled Trojan running back Alex Rohrer in the end zone for a safety.

After Fife punted, Blanchet took possession at the Trojan 41. Latta made another good play on defense, batting away a pass in one-on-one

coverage.

Later in the  drive Braves receiver Sam Williams, covered by Fife defensive back Malcolm Brown, pushed away as the ball came down but was not called for interference. Williams hauled in the pass for a touchdown. The extra point put Blanchet up 9-0.

Fife reached into its bag of tricks on its next drive. Facing third and 17, the Braves expected a pass. Instead, quarterback Jeremy Nalder scrambled around then snuck the ball to running back Mike Mulvaney, who was standing still in front of him. Mulvaney darted downfield for a first down.

“That was a Coach Cooper specialty,” Fife head coach Kent Nevin said after the game. “It is a version of a draw play.”

The drive continued into the second quarter. Mulvaney got Fife on the scoreboard when he ran up the middle untouched for a 17-yard touchdown run. The extra point narrowed Blanchet’s lead to 9-7.

Latta made his presence felt on special teams, making a nice solo tackle on the ensuing kickoff.

Blanchet drove downfield and scored on a 38-yard reception by Jake Lamb, who got just past Latta along the sideline. The kick made it 16-7 Blanchet.

Rohrer returned the kickoff to the Fife 40. The Trojans put together a long drive. Facing third and 10 on the Blanchet 11, Rohrer took a handoff and zigzagged past defenders for a touchdown. The Braves took a 16-14 lead into the locker room.

Trojan defensive back Devan Bennion intercepted a pass on Blanchet’s first drive of the second half, but it was nullified by a personal foul called on Fife. Blanchet attempted a 42-yard field goal that was wide left.

Fife took the lead early in the fourth quarter when Mulvaney scored on a 16-yard run. He ran on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt but was stopped just short of the goal line.

Blanchet had one last chance to win. Facing fourth and three at the Fife nine, the Braves were called off sides. Kevin McBride caught a pass on the next play but was stopped short of a first down.

Nevin praised the effort of Latta. “He has really come on strong,” he noted.

Another Trojan who made an impact was Dustin Yarrington, who nailed some good punts, including ones of 44 and 48 yards. He also was the leading receiver with 72 yards on two catches. “He works really hard,” Nevin observed.

The Trojans finished with 137 yards rushing, with Mulvaney accounting for 86 on six carries. Nalder completed five of seven passes for 94 yards.

Up next for Fife is a home game against Washington at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26. The Patriots are coming off a 20-14 loss to R. A. Long on Sept. 19.

“They are a very physical, well-coached team,” Nevin said. “They will bring some big linemen in here. We will have to bring our A game to beat them.”

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