Two goals down five minutes and change into the match, Seattle Prep roared back for a 3-2 win over Liberty and the 3A girls soccer championship Saturday.
The Panthers rallied for three goals in a 14-minute burst. Then both teams played out a scoreless second half at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup.
“The nice thing about being down two goals after five minutes, you’ve still got 75 minutes left to play,” Seattle Prep coach Andy Hendricks said. “We haven’t been shut out all year, and two goals is the most goals we’ve give up all year. … (Liberty is) a quality team.”
The Patriots zipped ahead on a goal by Kiana Hafferty in the second minute and another by Kali Youngdahl in the sixth.
Then it was the Panthers’ turn. They drew even on goals by Sarah Schwaegler and an own goal off a Liberty defender. Kaylen Huebner scored what proved to be the winner in the 35th minute.
Tahoma 1, Gig Harbor 0: A Tahoma penalty kick turned into the golden goal that sent the Bears past Gig Harbor in the 4A consolation game.
The teams had played 80 scoreless minutes of regulation and about eight scoreless minutes of added time before Tides defender Sara Massee was whistled for a foul on Tahoma’s Cassidy Richmond in the penalty area. Kaysha Darcy stepped up and nailed the PK.
“I am overwhelmed with the defense on my team,” Gig Harbor coach Dani States said. “They are just phenomenal fighters. … That was just an unlucky situation. If Sara wasn’t on her, she would have scored. So you’ve got to make a choice: fight for the 50-50 and hope you get through or let her score. I’m proud of what she tried to do to fight for it.”
The Tides lose only two seniors from this team that finished fourth in the state.
“We’re gaining even more ground,” States said. “We have a lot to look forward to if the league stays the way it does, hopefully.”
Eastside Catholic 1, Meadowdale 0: Shelby Newell scored an unassisted goal in the 38th minute.
The Crusaders made that stand up the rest of the way for 1-0 win over Meadowdale in the 3A consolation match.
Don Ruiz, 253-597-8808 don.ruiz@thenewstribune.com twitter/donruiztnt blog.thenewstribune.com/soccer
