Bellarmine Prep entered its game against Gig Harbor with a simple strategy: load up on defense.
Needing a tie or victory to claim the Narrows League 4A boys soccer title, the Lions withstood Gig Harbor’s frenetic offensive pace through the first half Monday evening at Roy Anderson Field.
But when Tyler Clarke gave the Tides a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute, the Lions shifted schemes. Coach Joe Waters called for a more offensive-minded approach and 10 minutes later, Joe Lovejoy scored the equalizer.
After that, Bellarmine Prep reverted to its defensive position and the teams finished in a 1-1 tie, sending the Lions into a celebration of their first league title since 2008.
“This was a huge game,” Waters said. “It was everything you can ask for in a final regular-season game. We were playing for the league title in a great atmosphere.”
Bellarmine (13-2-1 overall, 11-2-1 league) has completed its regular season. Gig Harbor (12-2-1, 10-2-1) will play at fourth-place Central Kitsap on Wednesday.
“Our goal now is second place,” Tides coach Todd Northstrom said. “We’ve got to win on Wednesday.”
Gig Harbor’s aggressive offense, perhaps fueled by a crowd of about 1,000, fired shot after shot at Bellarmine keeper Eric Bottjer in the first half.
Forward Robby Ubben came close to scoring twice, heading a ball over the crossbar and sending another off the crossbar. The senior captain appeared to give Gig Harbor a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute, but was called offside.
Victor Akoi and Ian Grissom also came close to scoring goals before halftime.
“You see those chances and you think, gosh I hope it’s not going to be that type of game,” Northstrom said, “and it was that type of game.”
Gig Harbor had two scoring opportunities in the final minutes. Ubben fired a ball that hit the post in the 77th minute.
Besides playing for a shot at the league title, the Tides were playing to keep their season alive, as they’ve been doing for the past six weeks. In a 2-1 loss to Bellarmine on March 24, Gig Harbor received its second violent conduct red card of the season. The Tides have played every game since knowing that one more such red card and they will be banned from the postseason.
Gig Harbor fans were conscious of how close to the edge their team was.
Early in the contest, at the first hint of confrontation on the field, a Tides supporter bellowed from the stands, “Don’t say anything! Don’t say anything!”
Northstrom said his team has adjusted.
“It doesn’t even faze them,” he said. “I might mention it just to remind them that teams are going to be trying to goad us into things.”
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.