3A Girls Soccer Roundup | Kennedy starts playoffs with shutout
BURIEN - It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but when it’s state playoff time, winners can’t be choosers.
Behind goals from seniors Jackie Thomas and Amanda Arntz, the Kennedy Lancers defeated Meadowdale 2-0 in the first round of the Class 3A girls soccer state playoffs Tuesday night at Highline Stadium.
“We didn’t play our kind of game, but this time of year you just want to advance, and that’s what we did,” said Kennedy coach Doug Stamnes.
Kennedy (17-1-1), which lost in the quarterfinals last year, plays defending state champion Issaquah at Highline Stadium Saturday in the quarterfinals.
The Lancers caught the Mavericks by surprise in the 22nd minute for the first goal. Thomas took a short pass on a corner kick and hammered a long-distance shot past Mavericks goalkeeper Tanya Zickefoose for her 19th goal of the season.
“Jackie’s had just an incredible year,” Stamnes said. “She’s very important to this team and has been a real positive for us.”
Kennedy scored again only two minutes later on a quick counter-attack. After a long clearance, Arntz dribbled past her defender and fired a shot from the top of the penalty box into the corner of the net.
“We put our heads down [after the second goal],” said Meadowdale coach Sean Harris.
The Mavericks, who start seven underclassmen, had multiple scoring opportunities, but couldn’t get past Kennedy goalkeeper Ashley Engel.
“We didn’t exploit the chances we had,” Harris said.
The Lancers had chances to increase the lead in the second half. In the 47th minute, freshman Rebekah Kurle whistled for a foul before heading the ball in the goal. Fifteen minutes later, an own goal by Meadowdale sophomore Carly Holmes was called back for offsides.
Meadowdale, which hadn’t been to state since 2003, finished 10-10-1.
Other games
Seattle Prep 1, at Camas 0, shootout
The Panthers (15-2-3) won on penalty kicks after a scoreless overtime period to advance to the quarterfinals. Seattle Prep will play the winner of tonight’s Everett-Mount Rainier first-round game.
Mount Spokane 2, Auburn Riverside 0
At Albi Stadium in Spokane, the Ravens (12-4-3) allowed two first-half goals and were shut out by the Wildcats (11-4) in their first-round match. Goalkeeper Rachel Givens made five saves for Riverside.
Lakeside 1, Olympic 0
At Southwest Athletic Complex, Lauren McAndrews’ goal in the final minute of the first half gave the unbeaten Lions (15-0-4) a first-round victory over the Trojans (14-2). Katie Ahrens assisted on the goal. Goalkeeper Katherine Myhre got the shutout for Lakeside, which plays Friday night against Holy Names or Capital.