The Raider girls' soccer team forged a strong start to the season, Sept. 7, beating Bridgeport 5-3 at home and with grit, playing all 80 minutes while a player down and with no subs.

Senior Sawyer Steffens scored two outstanding one-touch goals, junior Captain Nautika Brown added another goal, and junior Taylor Thomas lobbed in two back-to-back goals from outside the box that sailed in over the goalie's outstretched hands. 

Three players made strong Raider soccer debuts - sophomores Ava Sam and Halle Picard, and eighth-grader Ayianna Marconi. Picard gave a stand-out performance with her team-leading four tackles.

Nautika Brown receives the ball and starts a drive up field.

Third-year player and sophomore Cora Nicholson was rock solid in goal, showing great focus and leadership in her debut outing as the first-string goalie for the Raiders. 

Many thanks to the great home crowd, including cheerleader Brenna Morrill who spurred us on to dig deep, especially as the second half wore on. 

On Saturday, the Raiders traveled to Omak where they fell 6-0 to the Pioneers. A tough outing by any measure, the Raider girls battled through injury and fatigue to play strong to the final minute. They were complimented again for their grit by opposing players. Nicholson had 20 saves in goal, battling through a tricky, bouncing, hard-pack surface near goal.

Freshman center back Kenzie Brown stepped up and delivered 11 goal kicks and five free kicks as defense faced a busy night.

Raider's Soccer next travels to Manson on Saturday, Sept. 16, for an 11 a.m. match.