3A Soccer | Deines’ late goal propels Issaquah
BURIEN - Sighs of relief followed screams of joy Saturday for the Issaquah girls soccer team.
Kate Deines scored on a short kick with 30 seconds remaining to give Issaquah a 2-1 win over Kennedy in a Class 3A state quarterfinal at Highline Stadium. The victory advanced Issaquah, the defending state champion, into the final four for the fourth consecutive year.
Issaquah (17-0-1) plays West Valley (Yakima), a 3-0 winner Saturday over Mount Spokane, in the semifinals at 2 p.m. Friday at Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood.
Locked in a hard-fought game against Kennedy (17-2-1), the Eagles scrambled to remain alive for a potential third title in four years. They were thrilled with the victory and relieved to avoid a potential shootout.
“It was crunch time, and it was pretty much do or die,” Deines said of her team-leading 21st goal. “We really needed to get that goal. We didn’t want to go into overtime. We did have a little bit of luck on our side, but to finish it was one of the best ways we could win.”
Deines, the KingCo Player of the Year who next year will play at the University of Washington, kicked in a loose ball that Kennedy failed to clear after a corner kick by Jaci Belur.
“She [Deines] is the one you want in that position,” Issaquah coach Tom Bunnell said. “When the chips are down, she’s a stud. That ball lands on a lot of people’s feet and they do the same thing, but it’s nice she can do it as a senior.”
Issaquah, which won state titles in 2006 and 2004 and placed second in 2005, tied the score when senior Theresa Henle scored at 49:15.
Kennedy senior Amanda Arntz scored on a kick off a perfect cross pass from freshman Rebekah Kurle five minutes into the game. Kurle dribbled down the left side and set up Arntz in front of the net for her eighth goal of the year.
Kennedy, which won state in 2002, lost for the third consecutive year in the quarterfinals, including a 2-0 loss to Issaquah in 2005.
Issaquah gave up only its fourth goal of the season.
“I couldn’t be happier and the team couldn’t be happier,” Deines said of advancing to the final four again.
Other game
Seattle Prep 2, Everett 1 (shootout)
At Everett Memorial Stadium, the Panthers beat the Seagulls in a shootout to advance to the state semifinals. Seattle Prep, which missed its first shootout try but made the final four to win 4-3, will play Metro League rival Lakeside Friday at 4 p.m. at Harry Lang.