Soccer: Thomas Jefferson downs Federal Way 4-2

To say it has been an interesting start for Thomas Jefferson girls soccer team for the 2024 season would be an understatement. For the first three games of the season, they had no coach. Athletic Director Courtney McCurry was the acting head coach, but McCurry is a softball player by trade.

So when Sydney Banyai took over, it was a breath of fresh air for the Raiders. On Sept. 30 the Raiders defeated Federal Way 4-2, and played with a new level of confidence.

“Today was just their game. I was really proud of them,” Banyai said.

The Raiders could be heard communicating all around Federal Way Memorial Field, which is something that Banyai has been focusing on in practice.

“It’s been a big emphasis since I started. In the last two games, communication has been a big key for us,” Banyai said.

Thomas Jefferson has five seniors this year, and six underclassmen (three sophomores, two freshmen), which gives the Raiders a lot of hope this season. They have taken a liking to Coach Banyai this season.

“It took a few days to adjust, but she is just like family. We all treat her like she is one of us. She’s really young, so she just feels like she is one of us out on the field,” said Jazmyne DuBose.

For the first time for most of these girls at Thomas Jefferson, they are being coached by a woman. It might not seem like a big deal on the surface, but for the Raiders, the change in voice is appreciated.

“It’s really nice to have a female coach. It is super different. She sees everything how we see it,” DuBose said.

Eight games into the season, Thomas Jefferson is 3-4-1 with wins over Todd Beamer, Kent-Meridian and now Federal Way. They are focused on building a foundation for the future.

“Being such a young team, there is so much room for growth. We’ll have an even better team next year and just keep growing together,” Banyai said.

Against the Eagles, Thomas Jefferson scored in the 14th minute on a corner kick from senior Danielle Stewart. Her corner found the right leg of sophomore Balkisa Mohamed for the Raiders’ first goal of the game.

Of the Raiders’ four goals, three came from underclassmen. Just six minutes after Mohamed’s goal, freshman Athena Amor Katsaros scored another goal for the Raiders. She was set free down the left side of the field by Jazmyne DuBose and with one touch away from the Federal Way keeper, Katsaros gave the Raiders a 2-0 advantage.

Right out of halftime, the Raiders got another goal, this time from Stewart, who had an assist earlier. Stewart hit a 40 yard free kick that bounced off the Eagle keeper’s hands for a third Raider goal.

Federal Way had a great response late in the second half, despite the 3-0 deficit. Sophomore Ashlynn Snyder worked really well with her teammate Victoria Leung and made a lot of chances for the Eagles.

Snyder was rewarded with a free kick goal of her own in the 68th minute of the match from 38 yards out.

Thomas Jefferson answered the Eagle threat, and DuBose, who had an assist earlier in the game, intercepted a pass from the Federal Way goalie and found the back of the net in the 71st minute.

DuBose was the only upperclassman to score for the Raiders. That young talent can really help the Raiders in the future, said DuBose: “We are all really a sisterhood out here. Having underclassmen coming in with a lot of skill really helps the field. Next year we are going to have a stronger team and for years to come.”

Snyder did get a second goal just two minutes later to shave off the Thomas Jefferson lead 4-2.

Thomas Jefferson takes on Decatur on Oct. 7 at Federal Way Memorial, and Federal Way will play Enumclaw on the road at Pete’s Pool.