The Bellarmine Prep girls soccer team earned a decisive advantage in shots on goal, corner kicks and ball possession against Jefferson in a Class 4A district playoff game Saturday at the Stadium Bowl.
But the scoreboard? Not so much.
The Lions surged to a 2-0 lead seven minutes into the winner-to-state, loser-out match but were hanging on by their fingernails at the end before claiming a 4-3 victory.
Bellarmine Prep (14-2-1) moves on to the 16-team state playoff bracket, where it will meet Puyallup or Emerald Ridge on Wednesday.
In the final, frenetic minutes of the 80-minute contest, Jefferson’s Lindsey Dahl and Kristine Coronado each missed potential tying shots from point-blank range.
Then, with 1:30 to play, Dahl blasted home what appeared to be the equalizer, only to have the goal disallowed by a penalty. The referee ruled that Dahl pushed Bellarmine Prep defender Lauren Fricke in the back.
“It was a good call,” Bellarmine coach Joe Waters said. “Our girl (Fricke) got pushed. Sometimes it’s called, sometimes it isn’t.”
First-year Jefferson coach Lauren Gehring saw the play differently.
“I disagree with the call completely,” she said. “This match should have been settled in overtime.”
Bellarmine Prep had a 17-8 advantage in shots and twice enjoyed two-goal leads but could never shake the determined Raiders (7-8-3), who leaned on the highly skilled Dahl nearly every time they pushed past the midfield. Dahl thumped home two goals and nearly got two others.
“We had a lot of possessions that we didn’t capitalize on,” said standout Bellarmine Prep forward Stephanie Hamilton, who tallied one goal and added two assists off corner kicks. “It was stressful at the end, but hey, that’s the fun of soccer.”
Kelly Beck, Hope Fleckner and Fricke chipped in goals for Bellarmine Prep, while freshman Chentay Warnes connected for Jefferson.
4A WEST CENTRAL/ SW BI-DISTRICT
Puyallup 1, Emerald Ridge (OT): Justine Ibarra’s goal off an assist from Megan Ratfield in the second minute of overtime sent the Vikings into the state playoffs. Ashley Homer turned in the shutout for Puyallup.
Gig Harbor 3, Kentlake 0: Kate Frame scored two goals, Aubrey Lindberg recorded the shutout, and the Tides advanced to the state playoffs as the fifth seed.
Kentwood 2, Union 1 (SO): The defending state champion Conquerors will get a chance to defend their crown.
Beamer 1, Curtis 0: Brenna Straus’ goal in the first minute held up, and the Titans grabbed the third seed to state.
South Kitsap 1, Skyview 0: The Wolves claimed their eighth trip to state in 11 seasons.
3A WEST CENTRAL/ SW BI-DISTRICT
Bonney Lake 3, Wilson 0: Madi Adams scored the first of her three goals two minutes into the game, vaulting the Panthers (16-2) into the state playoffs, where they’ll meet Meadowdale at Edmonds Stadium on Wednesday in a first-round match.
Timberline 1, Prairie 0: Jordan Meyer’s goal on a penalty kick in the 59th minute launched the Blazers into the state playoffs.
Decatur 3, Capital 2 (SO): Decatur dispatched the Cougars in a shootout, grabbing the No. 2 seed to state.
2A WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT
Sumner 3, Olympic 0: A pair of late goals propelled the Spartans into the state playoffs as the district’s No. 1 seed. Brooke Lancaster scored in the 65th minute and Ellie DeGoede added a goal in the 70th. Goalkeeper Jamie Lange posted the shutout.
Fife 1, Port Angeles 0: After missing the state tournament for the first time in four seasons last fall, the Trojans will return.
Staff writer Doug Pacey contributed to this report.
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