Girls Soccer: Roosevelt edges Prep in crucial Metro League clash

Roosevelt takes the win 2-1 against Seattle Prep to give the Rough Riders the only 2-0 record in the Metro League. Roosevelt’s strikers maintained a high press throughout most of the game, making it difficult for the Panthers to play their way out of the back.

The two big winners of the 2023 season, Prep — the 3A Metro League champions — and Roosevelt — the 3A WA State Champions — were both looking to grab a statement win early in the season to announce their intention to repeat last year’s success.

But it was the Rough Riders earned the win thanks to goals on either side of halftime by Gabbi Benros and Andrea Cummings, giving Roosevelt a delicate 2-0 lead to protect against a gritty Prep team. Benros took her goal on a breakaway, slotting the ball past the onrushing Prep keeper to put her side out in front in the first half. Cummings doubled the lead after the break when — after a failed Prep corner kick clearance — she settled the ball on the edge of the box before firing home for the go-ahead goal.

Prep fought clawed a goal back in the second half but couldn’t break through to draw level with the Rough Riders. Though goalkeeper Malie Chamberland made a handful of clever saves — including a crucial double-save at the goal-mouth — to keep Prep within striking distance of the Rough Riders as the final whistle edged closer.

Roosevelt’s next game will be on the 12^th against Holy Names Academy, while on the same day, Prep will travel to Ballard for another tricky Metro League contest.

The girls soccer season looks to have a handful of teams capable of winning the league, but whether it’s Roosevelt, Prep, or any of the other contenders remains to be seen in the early stages of the campaign.