October 22 - When senior Sierra Keeler tallied three goals and added an assist in Tuesday’s 5-0 Girl’s Varsity soccer victory over Northwest, she did more than just earn the coveted soccer “hat track” of scoring three goals in a game, and she did more than move the Cardinals one game closer to a fourth consecutive Emerald City League Championship, and a third straight trip to the State Tournament. And although the victory represented the 27th consecutive victory against ECL opponents, Sierra’s three goals set her apart in an entirely different way; those goals broke Seattle Academy’s all-time career scoring record. Sierra has now scored 79 goals in her career, to surpass Allison Leonard (class of 2005, who went on to play Division 1 soccer at Columbia) as the school’s all-time leading scorer. Sierra had already moved into the top all-time spot for points scored (points are awarded for goals - two points and assists - 1 point) a few games back, but Sierra has now pushed her point total to an astounding 202 over her four years – and she’s not done yet. The school assist record is 51, held by recently graduated Cardinal Star Mackenzie Brandon, and Sierra is close behind at 44.
“It has been an amazing sight to see Sierra the last four years,” said SAAS Athletic Director Cathy Schick. “She is not only incredibly talented, but she’s an extremely hard worker. She deserves all the success and accolades she gets.”
The Cardinals have two league games remaining, and then the playoffs, which could involve as many as six additional games should SAAS earn a return to the State Title match.
“Sierra has become a smarter player, a fitter player, and a more focused player every year,” said SAAS Head Coach, Rob Phillips. “The Emerald City League has turned out some remarkable soccer talent in the past 10 years, with numerous players at the Division I level and at least one player (Kathryn Reynolds, U Prep/ Santa Clara) who has played with the National Team. But several opposing coaches have voiced the opinion to me that Sierra is, at this point, the most dangerous and the most composed player they’ve ever seen in the ECL.”
The “SAVGS” an acronym for Seattle Academy Varsity Girls Soccer, have picked up right where they left off last year after winning the 1A State Championship. Heading into the final week of the regular season, this year’s squad is again undefeated in league play having outscored their opponents, 59-7.
Sierra, the 2009 State Player of the Year, has committed to play for Division 1 Colorado College next year, but Seattle Academy’s incredible success does not end with her. There are many other stalwarts on the Cardinal squad, beginning with senior Achijah Berry. Achijah signed a letter of intent last year to play for the University of Oregon next season, and she’s returning to form after a nine-month rehab for a knee injury. Despite the injury and despite having played most of her career in the defensive third of the field, Achijah is ranked in the top-15 on the school all-time list for goals, assists, and points and her return to the field makes the Cardinals a more versatile and dangerous squad.
“I feel sorry for the team that focuses on stopping Sierra and doesn’t have a plan for Achijah,” said Chuck Seykra, the coach of Seattle Pacific’s National Championship Division II collegiate soccer team. “Those two players will pose problems for most collegiate teams, much less a high school team that is trying to defend against both of them at once.”
Another standout has been senior Lanise Laube who has provided a major attacking boost to the Cardinal offense as well. Her outstanding senior year has seen her move up among the school’s all-time leaders in career goals and points. An ECL coach singled her out as a major contributor the Cardinal’s success, because, “she’s smart, she’s tough, and she has a nose for the goal. She pounces on defensive mistakes, and it’s clear that she’s the vocal leader on the field.”
Meanwhile, senior Goalkeeper Talia Shulman has amassed a mind-boggling 40 shutouts in her career.
“That accomplishment is right up there with Sierra’s scoring record,” said Rob. “To average 10 shutouts a year over your high school career is simply phenomenal. And the fact that a senior goalkeeper and a senior forward are shattering records speaks to the whole team on the field – shutouts are really earned by the entire defensive unit, and Sierra’s prolific scoring is the product of a balanced, dangerous attack.”
During the four year span of Sierra, Achijah, Lanise and Talia’s varsity careers, Seattle Academy is 50-4-2 against Emerald City League competition.
“No matter what happens the rest of this season, it has been an incredible four-year run for this group of seniors,” said Cathy. “And over the years Rob has built such a tremendously successful program. To have high caliber players like Sierra and Achijah, the careers they’ve had here, and now moving on to Division 1 programs…it’s just a credit to Rob and his staff to have built such a thriving program that is successful year after year.”
The Cardinals close their regular season with a match against Overlake today and at Bellevue Christian on October 27. A victory in either of these two games would clinch the league title for Seattle Academy, and ensure qualification for the State Tournament.
