Top seed Central Valley survived a scare Saturday from Richland and fifth-seeded University surprised Mead, sending both Spokane Valley schools to the state tournament and setting up a Muddy Cleat rematch for the regional 4A title. CV won the first meeting at University 1-0.
In the 3A bracket, it will be an all-MCC showdown for the title with Kamiakin facing Southridge, who slipped past top GSL seed Mt Spokane to face the Braves, who were easy winners against North Central.
The 2A district title game will also be a rivalry contest with top seed East Valley kicking off their postseason action against fourth-seeded West Valley, which registered a second playoff upset in Clarkston.
PLAYOFF RESULTS
4A - Walla Walla 0-3 Lewis & Clark
The Blue Devils put up a good battle on the road against the Tigers in a fairly even contest for much of the game. It was LC, though, that had the better looks on goal and more corners, finally breaking through for the opener in the 28th minute on a goal from Paige Malm off a Katelyn Kenny corner. The Tigers thought they had the second in the 68th minute on another corner but Ella Magnuson's header banged off the frame of the goal. Malm would score her second with five minutes left by flicking on a throw-in from Kiki Bourekis. Three minutes later another corner sealed the contest when Sophie Doneen's ball skipped through the six and was knocked in by Magnuson, a freshman off the JV squad.
4A - Richland 2-3 SO Central Valley
The Bombers gave the Bears more of a challenge than was expected, taking the game to a shootout before AJ Crooks took care of matters with three stops for a 3-2 decision in the tiebreaker. The Bears held the initial lead from a Megan Robertson strike five minutes in that held until the second half. Freshman McKenna Martinez equalized in the 52nd minute and as the game neared overtime found Gabrielle Fillmore with four minutes left for what looked like a game-winner. Two minutes later, though, an own goal dashed Richland's hopes, evening things up and ultimately sending the match to the shootout where the Bears punched their ticket to the state tournament.
4A - Hanford 1-2 Chiawana
Having lost their playoff opener in a stunning upset minus their star player, the Riverhawks' backs were up against the wall. Summer Yates, however, returned home early from her U17/U18 US WNT Camp a day early, and of course played a key role. She connected with Ruthie Edrington to give Chiawana the lead four minutes in. She then converted a penalty in the 32nd for what proved to be the game-winner with the Falcons scoring in the second half (details not available).
4A - University 3-2 Mead
In a back-and-forth thriller, the Panthers led twice before falling on a penalty kick with two minutes remaining. In an even contest between the two GSL sides, the Panthers got on the board first with seven minutes remaining on an odd deflection off the cross from a Kendall Houston shot that left Madi Szafransky spinning looking for the ball, opening up an opportunity for Katie Kuka to dash in and knock the ball over the line. The Titans answered quickly, though, with Lauren Chester connecting with Grace Rogers for the equalizer four minutes later for a level score at the break. Nine minutes into the second half Tiah Frahm scored on a nice shot from the right side that slipped in a tthe near post, but again University wasted no time evening matters. Kelsey Crosby got behind on a break and knocked the ball past the onrushing keeper and watched the ball during the tackle roll over the line in the 51st. Both sides were scrapping for the game-winner, but a throw-in led to the upset by the fifth-seeded Titans. As the long throw soared well into the box, Crosby was pushed down from behind as it flew over her head, drawing the whistle from the referee. Moments later her sister Gracen converted from the spot to give University a spot in the state tournament.
Vid of PK foul and conversion for University win pic.twitter.com/jNPzwW1cIV— Gerald Barnhart (@INWsoccernews) October 29, 2017
3A - Southridge 2-1 Mt Spokane
The Suns picked up the road win with Kaitlyn Hunting putting them on the board 12 minutes in with a penalty. Just shy of the hour mark Reagan Santos set up Peyton Santos to provide needed insurance in the 56th minute as the Wildcats would get on board. The tally from Emily Williams, though, came too late in the rally attempt as her score was in the 79th, spoiling the potential shutout for Melissa Walace, who made 10 stops as Mt Spokane outshot the visitors 14-6. The Suns' 1-0 win over Shadle last round was only their second clean sheet of the season.
3A - North Central 0-3 Kamiakin
The MCC champions took care of business in the first half with goals from Kahlea Sullivan in the 10th, Mikayla Hunter in the 25th and Izzy Conover in the 27th. Grace Wilbur was in charge from their, finishing her fifth consecutive shutout with her first in the postseason.
2A - West Valley 4-3 Clarkston
The Eagles showed moments of power during the season and have channelled that so far this postseason with another big performance after blanking Cheney 3-0 last round. It was a back-and-forth affair to start though as Chelsea Koker's opener via Abby McConnell in the 20th was cancelled out by Mackinzie Packwood in the 35th on an assist from Taylen Wohl. They snatched back in the final minute of the half when Madeline Liberg set up Koker's second of the game. The Bantams, though, wasted no time after the restart pulling even with Maddie Caldwell finding Packwood for her second strike in the opening minute. An own goal in the 56th put the visitors back in front and McConnell scored a goal of her own five minutes later to provide some insurance as the Eagles advanced to a district championship showdown with their rival East Valley.
PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 31
2A District Final - West Valley @ East Valley 6:30 G-Prep
4A - Lewis & Clark @ Mead 3:00
3A - Kennewick @ Mt Spokane 3:00
3A - Shadle Park @ North Central 5:30 SFCC
4A - Richland @ Chiawana 6:00
Thursday, November 2
1A - Medical Lake @ Freeman 5:30 SFCC
3A Regional Final - Southridge @ Kamiakin 7:00
1A District Final - Deer Park @ Lakeside 7:30 SFCC
Saturday, November 4
4A Regional Final - University @ Central Valley TBD
BRACKETS (click for larger view)
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