November 2015
FEATURES
The Southwest Portland Post • 5
Under Coach King’s reign, Wilson women’s soccer is flourishing
goals behind the ball handling and shooting
skills of Eva Vlassopolous, Talulah Beisel,
Sara Trejo, Mackenna Clizer, Tori Butler, and
Maddi Day.
The team’s style of play is controlled and
By Jack Rubinger
accurate. Roosevelt is putting up a good
The Southwest Portland Post
fight, but Wilson is clearly dominating
the field and their goalkeeper has had few
On a cool night in October, the Wilson
serious threats.
High School women’s soccer team is looking
“It’s been a season of extremes,” King
strong, confident and loose during warm-
said. “Either 10 goal shutouts or losing by
ups before a game with Roosevelt High
four. We’re still trying to find a consistent
School. They’re all laughing and talking.
middle ground.”
“They’re technically skilled. But their
The Trojans scored three more times in
hearts and minds need to be in it. It really
the second half for an 11 - 0 shut out over
comes down to mindset. At this level, there
Roosevelt. Roosevelt had a strong effort,
are no easy games,” said varsity coach
but Wilson showed superior skills and
Allison King.
physical toughness. It looked easy, but
Taking the field in pink jerseys in honor
soccer is a game of possessions. You control
of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the
each possession and you control the game.
Trojans clap twice for each opposing player
Although King said she sees her entire
announced. It’s a tradition for all youth
squad as superstars, one player to watch
teams in the sport.
out for is Sara Trejo. Trejo, number 15, is
Once the game is underway, the Trojans
one of the most skilled and composed
strike hard, fast and often. By the end of
young women King has ever worked with
the first half, the team has already scored 8
at center midfield.
“I’m especially
proud of Kennedy
Reed (center
back) and Sabine
Pigg (forward) —
two seniors who
have successfully
re h a b b e d f ro m
serious ankle
injuries. Both of
them had goals
tonight,” said
King, following
the Oct. 7 match-
Junior Maddi Day (left) and senior Sabine Pigg practice at Wilson.
up.
SPORTS
(Post photo by Jack Rubinger)
King is honing a state-contending
women’s soccer team built off of
Wilson’s legacy as a 2013 Oregon School
Activities Association State runner-up,
2013 Portland Interscholastic League
co-champion, and 2012 PIL champion.
King was also 2014 PIL coach of
the year. Her squad has produced all-
conference athletes every season.
Back in September, King was a little
frustrated. Her team had a rough pre-
season with a lot of injuries, so while
they played well, it hadn’t shown up
on the scoreboard.
“We increased our standing in state
last year, so we were presented with
a challenging pre-season schedule
coupled with injuries,” explained King.
“It means that our ladies have to work
harder.”
“Our system of play demands more
compact, high-pressing defenders
and versatile and skilled midfielders.
It really showcases a team’s offensive Allison King is women’s varsity soccer coach at Wilson
talent and ability to possess and counter High School. (Post photo by Jack Rubinger)
quickly. I have high hopes for them to
three brothers, gravitated toward soccer
do something fantastic once the season is
early on. While she played at Brigham Young
underway.”
University, she started coaching because she
The overall good vibe is due in part to
couldn’t sit still. She’s been coaching for 10
girls’ soccer being well received at Wilson.
years now.
They have a supportive parent base who are
Together with men’s coach Frank
also active scouts. Administrative support is
Matthews,
she brings a sense of altruism
strong, too. They even have a brand-new turf
to
the
field
and avoids most of the sports
field to play on.
clichés.
It doesn’t hurt that Portland is a soccer
“This team formed an immediate bond,”
city with a professional women’s team (the
said
King. “There’s trust and respect. There’s
Thorns) and that the women’s world cup
positive
camaraderie. They are comfortable
was played so close to home last year. All
speaking
candidly with us coaches and they
this positivity resonates throughout the
have
a
great
sense of self. What more can
community.
I
ask
for?”
King, who grew up in Vancouver with
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