Kickers earn 1-1 draw with NK

Different year. Same result.

The Bainbridge Spartans and North Kitsap girls’ soccer teams settled for a tie Tuesday, with the annual Agate Passage battle ending knotted at one apiece.

The teams’ non-league debut ended last year with the same score.

North Kitsap senior Megan Hyte blasted home the Vikes’ lone goal in the 31st minute, while BHS senior Jenine Adam headed the Spartans’ tally off an impeccable cross from Taryn Christoffersen in the 76th minute.

Both teams had a contingent of its best players out, either with eligibility issues or injuries. Nonetheless, when Bainbridge and North Kitsap get together, it’s serious business on both sides.

“They’re our cross-bridge rivals,” said Bainbridge coach Mark Grindrod. “This rivalry has lasted years and years.

“(North Kitsap) has a lot of speed,” Grindrod said. “And a lot of aggressive play. Not dirty but just good, clean hard soccer.”

North’s Hyte took the ball past midfield and tallied her first goal of the season on a booming kick over the defense’s heads – as well as goalie Jackie Danzig’s – that found the back of the net in the 31st minute.

North took the momentum into the second half, adding scoring chances senior forward Emily Danford and sophomore Brenna Lander, but Bainbridge keeper Danzig snagged any loose balls off attempts.

Bainbridge set up numerous scoring attempts in the final 20 minutes of play, but North goalie Kelsey Krasas – a ninth grader playing in her first varsity game – made many diving stops to thwart the attempts, including one against the Spartans’ Allie Picha on her doorstep.

Bainbridge struck in the final five minutes of play on a pristine cross.

Spartan senior Taryn Christoffersen hooked a ball over the middle that found the head of fellow senior Jenine Adam. The Vikings’ Krasas tipped the ball with her fingertips, but could not avert Adam’s header.

“We had talked about getting her foot planted earlier and she did it,” Grindrod said of Christoffersen. And (Adam) got up there for a header with some real power.”

In the JV game, the Spartans prevailed over North by a 3-1 score. Bainbridge (0-0-1) will be back in action today at Central Kitsap.

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