Connell falls to Seattle Academy in Class 1A boys state soccer final
The chance for a perfect season slipped away from the Connell Eagles at the end of Saturday’s Class 1A boys state soccer championship game in Sumner.
After the Eagles were tied with Seattle Academy at the end of regulation and two overtime periods, it was shootout time at Sunset Chev Stadium.
Seattle Academy (16-6) converted on all five of its attempts against Connell goalie Saul Vargas, while the Eagles missed one — enough to give the Cardinals a 3-2 win.
The Eagles finished the season 21-1, missing out on the third state title in program history.
Just as Connell did in Friday’s semifinal against Highland, the Eagles quickly got on the board in the championship game.
Pablo Gil scored 3 minutes, 48 seconds into the match. A half-hour later, Seattle Academy’s Evan Brown knocked in the equalizer.
Ten minutes into the second half, Alexis Ayuso put Connell up 2-1. But in the 75th minute, Gage Raftery scored unassisted to tie it up again.
Connell senior goalkeeper Josue Vargas, who started for the Eagles and played into the second overtime, finished with three saves. Seattle Academy’s Owen Colwell had one.
In the shootout, Reid Rogers, Brown, Raftery, Adrian Valentine and Luca Barsher scored for Seattle Academy.
Connell’s Jose Fraga opened the shootout by scoring on Colwell, but Adrian Mendiola, the Eagles’ second shooter, missed. Gerardo Reyes, Robert Rizo and Luis Ramos converted on their attempts for the Eagles.
Scoring: 1, C, Pablo Gil (Gerardo Reyes), 3:48; 2, SA, Evan Brown, 32:52; 3, C, Alexis Ayuso, 49:11; 4, SA, Gage Raftery, 74:56. Shootout: SA 5 (Reid Rogers, Brown, Raftery, Adrian Valentine, Luca Barsher), C 4 (Jose Fraga, Reyes, Robert Rizo, Luis Ramos). Shots: SA 5, C 3. Saves: SA, Owen Colwell 1. C, Josue Vargas 3, Saul Vargas 0.
This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Connell falls to Seattle Academy in Class 1A boys state soccer final."