Hat trick delivers Eastlake victory over Bothell

The Eastlake Lady Wolves celebrated a 5-2 win against the Bothell Cougars as Eastlake senior and team co-captain Maddie Nay led the team with an inspiring three goals in one game—a feat known as a hat trick—to give the Lady Wolves the advantage and set up a decisive Eastlake victory. 

Opening the game with aggressive play, Nay delivered the first Lady Wolves goal less than 15 minutes into the match with an assist from midfielder Raquel Leskinen. 

Showing no signs of slowing down, Nay fired another shot just moments later, giving the Lady Wolves a comfortable 2-0 lead early in the first half.  

The Cougars made their first substitution of the match to add Neveah Ibsen to their line-up, which proved to be a smart choice. Ibsen quickly found the net, tightening the score, 2-1, and bringing the Cougars back into contention.  

Lady Wolves co-captain Hailey Phillips answered with a goal attempt that bounced off the goal post and landed perfectly to set up Nay’s next shot—and the hat trick. The Wolves ended the half with a 3-1 advantage.  

After the break, Cougar forward Brynn Hoyt instituted what appeared to be a re-imagined game plan and quickly moved the ball downfield. She fired a shot and scored, tightening the gap once again to a thrilling 3-2 match-up.  

Nay took possession next and the Lady Wolves moved toward the Cougar goal. Tension grew as the crowd anticipated the talented forward’s next move. Unfortunately for the Lady Wolves, the defense had learned the threat of a Nay possession and would not relent another goal to the star.  

The Wolves were not discouraged—they even rallied the crowd’s support as Katie Bradford wowed with her signature acrobatic flip-punctuated throw-ins.  

With the energy already high, Lady Wolf Heidi Smith received the ball at midfield and took a long shot, rocketing the ball into an arc that seemed to slow time as it flew over Cougar goalie Lyla Wood and into the net for an unexpected and stunning 4-2 lead.  

Almost immediately following Smith’s goal, Leskinen fired another shot into the net, to which Wood shook her head in disappointment.  

The 5-2 disadvantage did not prevent the Cougars from fighting back as they quickly moved the ball back downfield. Officials awarded the Cougars a free kick after a misconduct call on the Lady Wolves, but they were unable to capitalize on the penalty.  

Despite some aggressive play from the Cougars, the clock ran down as Bradford made a final dazzling flip-throw-in onto the field, and the game ended with an Eastlake 5-2 victory.  

For their next game, Eastlake will face Woodinville at home on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.