High school boys soccer: District tournament roundup
SATURDAY (MAY 14)
3A
No. 12 Central Kitsap 5, No. 11 Kent-Meridian 2: In the last game of the District 3/4 3A tournament, the Cougars punched their ticket to state with their 5-2 win over the Royals.
Central Kitsap’s tournament run began with a 8-1 win over Lakes on May 7. The following Tuesday, they had an improbable 1-0 upset over No. 4 Mountain View High School.
The win placed them against Auburn Riverside where the Cougars lost 3-1. Now they will await their seeding for the 3A state championship, while Kent-Meridian’s season has ended.
2A
No. 2 Franklin Pierce 1, No. 3 North Kitsap 0: The Cardinals clinched a state tournament berth and eliminated North Kitsap from contention.
The game came down to a header knocked in by sophomore Marvin Soeum in the 89th minute of the match. Although it wasn’t without controversy.
When the Vikings’ keeper made the save, he was partly standing in the goal, and the assistant referee gave Franklin Pierce the score in the second overtime period.
“We didn’t really get to celebrate because the other coach was angry at the call,” said coach Brandon Henry. “This was arguably the best game we played all season. North Kitsap is a very good opponent and our guys filled their roles. But after three games in five days, it will be nice to get a day off. North Kitsap was tough to break down, but we just kept fighting. I’m proud of the guys.”
Franklin Pierce entered the district tournament with one loss, but dropped their first-round meeting with Sequim, 3-2. Needing consecutive wins to punch their state ticket, they’d rebound Thursday to beat Kingston, 2-1, and shut out the Vikings on Saturday.
Goals: (FP) Marvin Soeum 89’
No. 5 Bremerton 4, No. 8 White River 0: It wasn’t the way they wanted their season to end, but the Hornets made tremendous progress in their program. From having recent losing seasons to being a game shy of the state title, White River’s future is looking bright.
“We played tough, but Bremerton was just more physical. They had talented players up top,” said coach TJ Suek. “I am very proud of our players, they battled and showed heart. We have a great number of guys committing to putting in work in the off season, and we expect them to develop for next year. I am incredibly excited for who is coming up.”
Seniors like Josh Mackie, Jonathan Corr, Nick Panin and Tabor Davidson are now on their way out. But they’ve left a winning blueprint for success for the current underclassmen.
The Hornets finish their season with a record of 9-7-3.
No. 4 Fife 3, No. 7 Sequim 1: Fife took down Sequim, 3-1, to secure a third-place finish in the District 2/3 2A bracket on Saturday.
The Trojans netted all three goals in the first half. Edgar DelaCruz scored in the seventh minute, and Jairo Ramirez converted another in the 27th minute to put Fife ahead, 2-0.
Sequim scored in the 32nd minute on a penalty kick to bring the match within one.
Fife’s Salvador Rendon-Rodriguez widened the margin with a goal in the 39th minute.
Both teams clinched state-tournament berths with first-round wins on May 10.
No. 1 Sammamish 2, No. 6 Clover Park 1: The top-seeded RedHawks took down the surging Timberwolves in Saturday’s district championship, though both teams secured state-tournament berths with victories on May 10.
Clover Park upset No. 3 North Kitsap in the opening round by prevailing in penalty kicks after a scoreless draw, and beat No. 7 Sequim in Thursday’s second round, 2-1.
1A
No. 1 Vashon Island 1, No. 4 Life Christian Academy 0: Vashon Island secured a trip to the state tournament and eliminated the Eagles from contention in Saturday’s win.
The top-seeded Pirates faltered in Thursday’s district championship, losing to No. 2 Bellevue Christian, 2-0. They now join the Vikings to represent District 3 in the state bracket, which begins May 27.
MAY 13
4A
No. 9 Camas 2, No. 5 Olympia 0: Unfortunately, the Bears’ season comes to an end with a 2-0 loss to the Papermakers.
After coming out flat in the first half, Olympia could not figure out how to get their rhythm back. In fact, Camas was able to sneak in a goal while the Bears were getting their footing.
“We unfortunately came out flat in the first half and didn’t do great getting our marks during corner kicks,” said coach Ty Johnson. “We tried to push for a goal in the last two minutes, but they were able to take the ball and score again. I couldn’t be prouder of the team and family they became. This is the first year they won the 4A SPSL South, and our five losses have been to teams who are top eight in the state.”
Olympia finishes their year with a record of 12-6-1.
MAY 12
4A
No. 11 Tahoma 2 (3), No. 10 Emerald Ridge 2 (1): Noe Villanueva’s game-winning penalty kick sent Emerald Ridge home and propelled Tahoma to the 4A state tournament.
A 2-2 draw between the Bears and Jaguars resulted in a shootout, where Tahoma won, 3-1, and clinched fifth place in the District 3/4 4A bracket.
Tahoma took a 1-0 lead into the intermission behind Zeth Lucero’s goal in the 30th minute.
Kyle Skevington gave the Bears a 2-0 advantage with a 60th-minute score.
Emerald Ridge stormed back, netting a pair of goals in the 67th and 70th minutes to equalize the match.
Tahoma keeper Cohen Storch saved three penalty shots. Lucero and Ignacio Brandan joined Villanueva with a converted penalty shot apiece.
MORE SCORES
No. 1 Bellarmine Prep 2, No. 2 Kennedy Catholic 1
3A
No. 5 Gig Harbor 2, No. 1 Peninsula 1
The third time’s the charm for the Tides as they finally won against their crosstown rival, the Seahawks. And what a time to get that win.
Getting an early goal from sophomore Caleb Gilbert off the double assist from junior Matt Ludlow and senior Connor Louden, the Tides went on to control the flow of the game.
When the Seahawks tried to make any moves upfield, Gig Harbor dropped back and allowed them to get the ball across the back. But when Peninsula thought they were going to get the ball across the middle, Tides forwards would lock them up.
“You can always have the best plan but it’s up to the players to execute,” said Gig Harbor coach Joe Ross. “Offensively, quick counters was our key. We disrupted their attack, we got it wide and went at them. We knew they would drop straight back and we were able to create several opportunities.”
The Seahawks struggled to find any balance on the pitch. They started slow and couldn’t match the intensity that the Tides were playin with.
They would give up another goal to junior Kyler Goodin in the 38th minute as well. However, coach Ozer Kocdemir kept his team believing that they could get back into the game.
“We talked at halftime and I told them that it is possible if we can get to overtime,” Kocdemir said. “I tried to paint that picture. Coming out in the second half, we were believing ourselves a little more. They were more direct and going forward. We had chances and had the momentum, but the goal came way too late right before the end. I’m very proud of our second half, and it is a good lesson for state.”
The lone Seahawk goal came in the 80th minute off the foot of senior Reilly Leahy.
Both Gig Harbor and Peninsula already clinched their spots in the 3A state tournament. Depending on the seeding, it’s entirely possible that these two teams can meet up again for a fourth time this season.
Goals: (GH) Caleb Gilbert (Matt Ludlow and Connor Louden) 12’, Kyler Goodin 38’; (P) Reilly Leahy 80’
No. 10 Bonney Lake 3, No. 11 Kent Meridian 1: Bonney Lake punched their ticket to the state tournament with Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Kent Meridian, and secured a fifth-place finish in the District 3/4 3A bracket.
The Royals aren’t out of state contention, but need a win Saturday to advance.
Bonney Lake’s first score came on an own goal, and Connor Goff added a first-half penalty kick. Senior forward Holden Anderson connected on a second-half score to pad the lead.
No. 7 Auburn Riverside 3, No. 12 Central Kitsap 1
The Ravens were off the races in their win over the Cougars as an early goal set the tone.
Five minutes into the match, senior Victor Vongkhamchanh got a look from the pass from senior Jackson Morton and buried the first of three Auburn Riverside goals.
However, the next goal wouldn’t come until 72 minutes later as the pair dialed it up again for another Vongkhamchanh goal off a Morton assist.
Auburn Riverside didn’t have to wait as long for their next goal though. A minute later in the 78th minute, junior Ethan Fisher scored off a senior Chirstian Hernandez assist to put the game firmly out of reach.
The win clinches a state berth for the Ravens, and gives them fifth place in the District 3/4 3A tournament.
Goals: (AR) Victor Vongkhamchanh (assist Jackson Morton) 5’, Vongkhamchanh (Morton) 77’, Ethan Fisher (Christian Hernandez) 78’
2A
Tumwater 1, WF West 0
Although there were plenty of chances for the T-Birds, they only came away with one goal in their third matchup of the year against the Bearcats.
It wouldn’t be until the 48th minute of the match that junior Zach Schmitt would score the only goal of the match. That would give Tumwater the permanent lead, and send them to the District 4 finals.
“We did not have a good night finishing. We created chances but would either miss, hit the crossbar, or straight to their keeper,” said coach Brett Bartlett. “This was our third time against them and they know how we play. Our guys spent more time in their end than they did in ours, but a lot of the game was in the middle field. We got behind them but couldn’t finish.”
The Tumwater offense had such an attack going that the keepers AJ Heichelbech and Lukas Stuart did not record a save during the match.
Much of the game was spent in the Bearcats’ end of the field as their defense held up against a relentless attack. But if WF West somehow broke past the midfield line, Tumwater’s defense was there to greet them.
Rather than allowing any kind of flow from the Bearcats, the T-Bird defense forced their opponents to play laterally.
“It’s really about the composure they have in front of the goal, the younger kids want to score badly,” Bartlett said. “Our belief is that there is no such thing as the perfect shot. What we need is a hole the size of the ball to get into the net. They just need to be willing to take it.”
The T-Birds will advance to the District 4 championship where they will square off against Columbia River at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at Tumwater District Stadium.
Goals: (T) Zach Schmitt (free kick) 48’
Shutout: AJ Heichelbech and Lukas Stuart
No. 2 Franklin Pierce 2, No. 14 Kingston 1
After losing their first game in the district tournament to Sequim on a last minute goal, the Cardinals found themselves in a mirror situation against the Buccaneers.
Despite giving up an early goal within the first 10 minutes of the match, Franklin Pierce was able to get the equalizer from sophomore Logan Sams at the 25 minute mark. Then, in the waning minutes of the match, junior Ethan Shoemaker put the Cardinals ahead for good.
“Kingston was a physical team. They scored 10 minutes in when our keeper stumbled. After that we were able to keep the pressure on them,” said coach Brandon Henry. “Our pressure crescendoed throughout the game. Our defense really worked as a unit and covered each other. They kept pressure on them and did not let them on our side of the half. We are a young team that has to quickly mature and gain playoff experience.”
Although they had their chances, getting past the Buccaneers senior keeper Carter Krantz was a taller order than usual. Primarily, because Krantz is 6’8”.
But when the goals mattered, the Cardinals scored. The young Cardinals team is quickly gaining maturity and experience in big games, and will be a team to reckon with now and in the future.
They will take the field again against North Kitsap in a winner to state matchup Saturday, May 14 at Franklin Pierce High School.
Goals: (FP) Logan Sams 25’, Ethan Shoemaker 79’
No. 8 White River 1, No. 16 Lindbergh 0
White River remains in state-tournament contention after netting an overtime goal and outlasting Lindbergh, 1-0.
Tyler Anderson broke away from midfield in the 90th minute and found midfielder Elijah Wagner in the corner. Wagner assisted the play with a pass to Denver Mollett, who poked the ball in for the match-sealing score.
“They were ecstatic,” coach TJ Suek said. “The moment it happened, the whole team ran and started jumping on each other, and then ran over to the sidelines and started getting all pumped for the fans in the crowd. They couldn’t have been more excited.”
White River’s defense forced a 90-minute shutout. Senior defender Jonathan Corr was “instrumental” in slowing down Lindbergh attacks, Suek added.
The Hornets eliminated Lindbergh from contention and advanced to Saturday’s win-or-go-home match with No. 5 Bremerton, where a trip to the state bracket is on the line.
No. 1 Sammamish 4, No. 4 Fife 0
The Trojans were forced to play with guys from their JV squad due to injuries and sickness tearing through their squad.
Although it isn’t the result they wanted, coach Tony Crudo sees his younger players getting experience as a positive.
“There are lots of injuries and sickness on our team right now. We didn’t play everyone but the reality is when you can’t get kids out there, we have to play a lot of JV guys,” he said. “I’m really proud of them. We are working hard to get everyone healthy, and getting ready to put our best effort forward once we get to state.”
With their berth already settled, the Trojans are playing for seeding in the 3rd/4th place game against Sequim.
Their game will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14 at Franklin Pierce High School.
No. 6 Clover Park 2, No. 7 Sequim 1
The Timberwolves’ theme in the district playoffs seems to be narrow wins.
In their first game against North Kitsap, they came away with the win thanks to penalty kicks. No such overtime was needed against the Wolves, however.
Instead, Clover Park came away with another one-goal win that puts them in the 2A District 3/4 championship game.
That will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 14 at Franklin Pierce High School.
OTHER SCORES
1A
No. 4 Life Christian 4, No. 3 Cascade Christian 0
MAY 10
4A
No. 4 Union 2, No. 1 Bellarmine Prep 1 (PK): Union pounced for an early goal and prevailed over Bellarmine Prep in penalty kicks to advance to the District 3/4 4A Championship.
Titans midfielder Isaiah Bunda scored in the seventh minute, and Bellarmine would equalize the match in the second half behind Henry Marlow’s 44th-minute goal.
Union won the penalty shootout, 4-3, and faces Puyallup for the district title on Thursday.
With Tuesday’s win, Union can hoist the district trophy pending a win over the Vikings, and enter the state bracket with a higher seed.
Both squads clinched state-tournament berths before Tuesday’s meeting. Union had defeated Olympia, 1-0, and Bellarmine shut out Decatur, 4-0, last Saturday to punch their tickets.
No. 3 Puyallup 1, No. 2 Kennedy Catholic 0: Neither team could find the back of the net during regulation, forcing overtime. With just 12 seconds left in the first sudden-death overtime, Ryan Cunningham scored the golden goal for the Vikings, assisted by Dean Williams.
Puyallup, which won the Class 4A state title in 2019, is headed back to another bidistrict championship game and will face fourth-seeded Union for the title on Thursday.
3A
No. 6 Stadium 1, No. 1 Peninsula 0 (READ THE FULL GAME STORY HERE): Stadium forward Owen Bliskis scored the game-winning goal in the 64th minute of the contest for the Tigers, which advance to the bidistrict championship game to face Bainbridge Island, which defeated Gig Harbor in the other semifinal match, 1-0.
The championship match will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
No. 8 Bainbridge Island 0 (5), No. 5 Gig Harbor 0 (4) (READ THE FULL GAME STORY HERE): After playing to a scoreless draw, the game went to penalty kicks. The Spartans converted all five of their shots to advance to the bidistrict championship game against Stadium.
The championship match will be at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
2A
No. 4 Fife 4, No. 5 Bremerton 3: Fife rallied behind two goals from Edgar DelaCruz and stormed back to beat Bremerton, 4-3, in the opening round of the District 2/3 2A tournament.
DelaCruz, the team’s leading goal scorer, added a pair of assists.
“(Edgar’s) probably the best player in the league, to be honest,” coach Tony Crudo said. “He’s the real deal.”
The junior forward netted the team’s first goal in the 22nd minute. Bremerton had jumped to a 3-1 lead, but Fife converted a last-gasp attempt just moments before whistles signaled halftime.
DelaCruz found his second goal in the 52nd minute, which equalized the score at three. Fife’s game-winning shot came in the 83rd minute.
Fife clinched a 2A state tournament berth with Tuesday’s win.
“At halftime, we said, ‘guys who are sitting there hoping somebody’s gonna save the day, it’s time for you to step up and save the day,’” Crudo said. “And everybody said, ‘okay, I’m going to do my job like I’m the one who is the difference.’
“That was enough. That was enough turn the tide.”
No. 1 Sammamish 3, No. 8 White River 0: A trio of first-half goals propelled Sammamish over White River and into the 2A state tournament.
“Sammamish, as it turns out, is justified in their number-one ranking,” White River coach TJ Suek said.
The Redhawks poured in three goals — scoring in the 25th, 30th, and 35th minute — and shut out the White River offense.
The Hornets pitched a second-half shutout and “stepped up to the challenge” of facing the top-seeded team in the District 2/3 2A bracket, Suek said. Evan Weisheyer made critical blocks on defense. Tabor Davidson, a senior midfielder, controlled the ball for White River’s offense.
“We struggled in the first half, but we were able to come out in the second half and have some success,” Suek added. “If we want to have more time together and enjoy each other’s company, we have to start performing on the field to a level where we get to play on Saturday.”
White River now needs a pair of wins to clinch a state berth, starting with a home meeting with Lindbergh on Thursday.
No. 11 Highline 8, No. 15 Washington 0: Highline rolled over Washington, 8-0, to advance in the District 2/3 2A tournament.
Pirates forward Dado Cokic netted the game’s first goal, and by intermission, Highline led by five.
Highline’s first-half goal scorers included Cokic, along with Alex Navarro-Ramirez, Mitchel Laguna-Ornelas, Onnixon Palacios and Emerson Carranza Ochoa.
Navarro-Ramirez added a second-half score, and the Pirates maintained their shutout.
The loss ended Washington’s season. Highline advances to a loser-out contest with North Kitsap on Thursday.
No. 6 Clover Park 1, No. 3 North Kitsap 0 (PK): A scoreless regulation led to penalty kicks, where Clover Park prevailed and clinched a berth in the 2A state tournament.
The newly-named Timberwolves, now an improved 11-5-1 on the season, face No. 7 Sequim in the District 2/3 2A semifinal on Thursday.
North Kitsap, now one loss from elimination, meets Highline in the loser’s bracket.
MORE SCORES
No. 7 Sequim 3, No. 2 Franklin Pierce 2
No. 12 Renton 2, No. 13 Enumclaw 0
No. 14 Kingston 3, No. 9 Foster 2
No. 16 Lindbergh 2, No. 10 Steilacoom 0
MAY 7
4A
No. 2 Kennedy Catholic 1, No. 7 Curtis 0: Unrelenting wind and a chess-like matchup between the Lancers and Vikings nearly came down to the wire.
After a first half where Kennedy Catholic’s defenders had trouble reading where the ball was going, they had the wind at their backs in the second half. Curtis’ strategy of coming out in a high pressure formation really put the Lancers in bad situations.
“It was nail biting. Curtis came out and put us in some bad situations. We made some bad decisions in the back line and they made us really think about how we counter,” said coach John Gavino. “The win was a huge issue, let me tell you. We were very fortunate to have the wind in the second half.”
Despite the early mistakes, senior keeper Ethan Zarnick never let the ball get past him. Zarnick, who until was not the starter until the second to last week of the season, made key stops for the Lancers. Even when the Vikings had their best looks, the senior kept them out of the net.
Late in the second half, Curtis did not get a good clearance and the ball found it’s way to the feet of senior midfielder Jose Pineda Anguiano.
Anguiano made his way past the Viking defense and gave the ball to sophomore forward Oscar Castillo who had a one-on-one against Curtis’ keeper.
Castillo buried the goal, and sent the Lancers into the next round of districts with an automatic bid to the state tournament.
The Lancers will take on Puyallup/Kentwood at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Sparks Stadium.
Goals: (KC) Oscar Castillo (Jose Pineda Anguiano) 74’
Shutout: Ethan Zarnick
No. 3 Puyallup 1, No. 6 Kentwood 0: If there was one word that could describe the win the Vikings had over the Conquerors, it was control.
Puyallup controlled almost everything in the match. The defense did not allow more than two shots in either half, they took away Kentwood’s best players and they possessed the ball more.
“The first half was really windy and it made it challenging. But we only gave up one or two shots,” said coach Matt White. “We were in control but it was hard. We had five or six shots and out possessed them, and we did that in both halves. In fact, in the last five to seven minutes, we didn’t let them out of their own half of the field.”
The only goal the Vikings needed was scored by junior midfielder Chase McMillian in the 50th minute.
Intercepting an errant pass by the Conquerors, sophomore defender Jet Hazen took the ball down the field. At the last minute, he passed it to McMillian who netted the Vikings goal.
While the defense implemented their control over the Conquerors, senior keeper Nate Vitzthum held tight for the shutout.
Puyallup advances and earns their berth to the 4A state tournament. However, Kennedy Catholic stands in the Vikings’ way at a district title. They will meet up at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Sparks Stadium.
Goal: (P) Chase McMillan (Jet Hazen) 50’
Shutout: Nate Vitzthum
No. 1 Bellarmine 4, No. 8 Decatur 0: Four goals were more than enough for the Lions to skate past the Golden Gators.
And if they continue having dominant performances like they did against Decatur, Bellarmine could come home with a state championship for the first time since 2008.
Although they are poised to do so, their next opponent in Union will pose a tough test for them. The Lions will take the pitch again against the Titans at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Sparks Stadium.
No. 4 Union 1, No. 5 Olympia 0: The early goal from senior Isiah Bunda in the seventh minute of the match gave the Titans the only edge they needed over the Bears.
A rainy, back-and-forth battle between both squads, Olympia just could not crack the defense of Union’s senior keeper Rory McDonald. Even when there were open looks by the Bears’ offense, including a free kick at the end of the first half, they couldn’t score the equalizer.
McDonald earned the clean sheet and the Titans’ an automatic bid to the 4A state playoffs. They still have districts to play through though, and will take on Bellarmine at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Sparks Stadium.
Goals: (U) Isaiah Bunda (Ethan Voves) 7’
Shutout: Rory McDonald
No. 11 Tahoma 4, No. 14 Rogers 0: The plan was to play short passes and not to force anything too long for the Bears. Clearly, the plan worked as four different scorers put the ball in the back of the net.
Arguably though, the biggest contributing factor to Tahoma’s win was the control and communication senior center back Mason Tomich. If there was a player that needed moving, Tomich would call him out.
Tomich would also start the attack from the back line as well, contributing to his goal in the match up.
“The team really worked together. A lot of these players have played together since before the pandemic,” said coach Rick Maloy. “The seniors have known each other for a long time. Tomich’s control and communication was the key for us. He completed passes, created opportunities from the backfield, and as the center back, he has best view of the field.”
Although the Rams never stopped trying to claw their way back into the match, sophomore keeper Cohen Storch would not allow a single ball past him.
Tahoma will advance and play Kentwood at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Federal Way Stadium.
Goals: (T) Chuck Hanson, Zach Hare, Owen Harned, Mason Tomich
Shutout: Cohen Storch
No. 12 Sumner 3, No. 13 Mount Rainier 2 (OT): The Spartans needed an extra period to get their win over the Rams and keep the season alive for another game.
Their next match up will be a familiar one, though. They will take on league rival Olympia at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium.
No. 10 Emerald Ridge 2, No. 15 Skyview 1 (OT): There was some bonus soccer played between the Storm and Jaguars.
As much as both teams wanted to advance to the next round, Emerald Ridge ultimately was the team to do so. They will play against SPSL rival Curtis at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Federal Way Stadium.
No. 9 Camas 5, No. 16 South Kitsap 0: Trying to follow the lead set by the girls team, the Papermakers took their first step towards trying to hoist up their own championship trophy in soccer.
They did it by barraging the Wolves with goals, and strict defense that came away with the shutout. The Papermakers next game will come against Decatur at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Sunset Chevrolet Stadium.
3A
No. 1 Peninsula 2, No. 7 Auburn Riverside 1: The Seahawks showed up to their matchup ready to take on the Ravens. They had the game plan, they watched film, they knew what to do.
The South Sound Conference champions jumped out to an early lead off of a senior Justin Bodnar goal. But soon after, Auburn Riverside would answer.
“It was a controlled game for us, we executed the game plan well. We played a talented team, but we knew that if we played well and within our game, we have a chance,” said coach Ozer Kocdemir. “We like to keep possession, and we want to create as many chances as possible.Chances will come on their own, but not too much on the long ball. We kept ourselves calm and the players stayed very positive.”
After the Riverside goal, the Seahawks tightened their defense up. Senior keeper Yzahir Conrelio stepped up and saved every shot flung towards him by the Ravens.
Bodnar would score again to regain the lead and the Seahawks never looked back. Now they are guaranteed to be in the 3A state tournament.
Peninsula will continue their district tournament play in their game against Stadium at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at George Nordi Field at Mt. Tahoma High School.
Goals: (P) Justin Bodnar x2
No. 16 Timberline 3, No. 9 Evergreen 2: On the day of their senior proms, the Blazers traveled to Vancouver and pulled off a big upset on the road against the Plainsmen.
In a close match, Timberline held Evergreen to a tie for most of the game. The first two of the Blazers’ goals were scored by freshman Romeo Brown. The first came in the 35th minute, the second in the 45th.
The game remained tied until senior center-midfielder Ivan Li broke it with a late goal in the 78th minute. Li’s goal not only quite literally sent the Plainmen home, but it gave the Blazers another chance in the 3A district tournament.
“There was a lot of excitement and love coming from the bench,” said coach Nick Boatright. “I had to make sure we held on for the last five minutes of the game. We managed the best we can. It definitely was one of those moments they’ll remember from high school.”
Coming home with the win, the Blazers had already had enough reason to dance. Now they can really groove at prom.
Timberline will take on Auburn Riverside at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Art Crate field.
Goals: (T) Romeo Brown 35’, 45’, Ivan Li 78’
No. 10 Bonney Lake 3, No. 13 Thomas Jefferson 1: Before the end of the first half in the 34th minute, senior forward Connor Goff started the Panther scoring off a penalty kick.
From there, the floodgates opened. Senior Andres Peres tapped in an easy crosser in the 44th minute, then senior Holden Anderson came back two minutes later to put the game out of reach for the Raiders.
Thomas Jefferson would get one back when junior Kia Mekonnen scored in the 56th minute, but it was too late.
Bonney Lake advances into the consolation bracket and will play against Auburn Mountainview at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Harry Lang Stadium.
Goals: (BL) Connor Goff 34’, Andres Peres 44’, Holden Anderson 46’; (TJ) Kia Mekonnen 56’
No. 6 Stadium 3, No. 4 Mountain View 0: Five minutes into their matchup with the Thunder, the Tigers’ senior Jackson Hendricks finds the back of the net. Immediately, Stadium has the lead.
And they would never relinquish it.
Adding onto the scoring was senior Owen Bliskis in the 50th minute, making the game 2-0. A third goal was scored by the Tigers, but by that time the Thunder had no chance of making any sort of comeback.
The Tigers advance to the district semifinals where Peninsula awaits for their match up. That game will take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at George Nordi Field at Mt. Tahoma High School.
No. 5 Gig Harbor 5, Auburn Mountainview 2: The Tides completely rose to the occasion against the Lions.
Having a scoring fit of five goals cemented their victory, and their spot in the 3A state tournament. The Tides’ will face off against Bainbridge Island at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at George Nordi Field at Mount Tahoma High School.
No. 8 Bainbridge 2, No. 2 Silas 1: The Spartans got a big upset win over the Rams to claim their spot in the district tournament semifinals, as well as the 3A state tournament.
Holding down a team that has a versatile set of players was no easy task, but Bainbridge is rewarded for their efforts.
Now they are hoping to repeat the results against Gig Harbor. Their match up will happen at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at George Nordi Field at Mount Tahoma High School.
No. 11 Kent-Meridian 5, No. 15 Heritage 0: The Royals live on to fight another day as they defeated the Timberwolves by a sizable margin.
The heavy bombardment of scoring will have to continue for Kent-Meridian if they are going to pull the upset against their next opponent: Silas.
After suffering the upset loss, the Rams will meet against the Royals at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Harry Lang Stadium.
No. 12 Central Kitsap 8, No. 14 Lakes 1: The Cougars’ offense was fully on display as they left no doubt who was going to win on the pitch against the Lancers.
The large scoring display paired with stout defense was the perfect recipe for the Cougars’ win and advancement in the district tournament.
Central Kitsap will advance to play the loser of the Stadium-Mountain View game next at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Art Crate Stadium.
1A
No. 3 Cascade Christian 1, No. 6 Seattle Christian 0: The Cougars’ season lives another day as they narrowly defeated the Warriors in the 1A district tournament.
With a strong defense and the lone goal on their side, Cascade Christian advances to take on Bellevue Christian at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 10.
No. 4 Life Christian Academy 3, No. 5 East Jefferson 0: The Eagles won their matchup handily against the Rivals and will continue their quest for a state championship.
But first, they will have to get through Vashon Island. That game will happen at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 10.
This story was originally published May 7, 2022 at 3:07 PM.