5/20/2023
The 1A State boys soccer tournament began this week with 4 play-in games on Tuesday and Wednesday to set the final 16. The 1A tournament is set up much like baseball’s Regional with opening round games all played on Friday, May 19 with 2 matches at 1 location. The winners of those 2 loser out matches then face off on Saturday in the quarterfinals for a chance to get to the final 4.
Our coverage here will include re-caps of our feature matches with highlights, our post game show, interviews and pictures. There will be links to other coverage when we can find it along with links to watch the replay of the games when available on the NFHS network.
WIAA State 1A Boys Soccer Bracket
Quarterfinals
Saturday, May 20
Feature Match
At Montesano
Final: #7 Seton Catholic 2, #2 Montesano 0
Seton Catholic was hoping the 3 goals they scored on Friday would carry-over to the quarterfinals while the Bulldogs were hoping more of their offensive attacks would find the back of the net. But in the 1st half it was all defense with both keepers doing their part with the backline. Jayden McElravy in goal for Montesano and Zach Catherall in the box for the Cougars each had 4 saves and it was the defenses shining and they played to a 0-0 tie at the break.
As the 2nd half began the Cougars took control early and with a determined effort quickly took a 1-0 lead just 4 minutes into the 2nd half in the 44th minute. Seton Catholic had pushed the ball down the field and hit a crossing shot that a Bulldog defender had a beat on but simply missed. The ball ended up right in front of Brady Angelo who blasted it home for the score.
Angelo would strike again in the 61st when Teagan Petracca made a perfect pass to Angelo who would not disappoint and knocked home the insurance goal. This goal appeared to take the wind out of the Bulldogs and Seton Catholic simply didn’t let Montesano get back in the match. A huge part of that was Cougs keeper Zach Catherall who shut out the Bulldogs with 13 saves. He also had 7 saves in their win on Friday for 20 saves in 2 days.
Our Thorbeckes MVP’s went to Seton Catholic’s Zach Catherall and we decided after the broadcast we would make Cotherall co-MVP with Brady Angelo and then we decided that Gavin Erickson the lone senior deserved to be included as well. For Montesano we’re giving it to the 3 Seniors on the backline, Spencer Coleman, Michael Neal and Cole Ekerson.
Seton Catholic advances to the Semi-Finals against the 3 seed Seattle Academy and will play on Friday, May 20 at 1pm at Renton Memorial Stadium.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
ESN Post Game Show
Game Highlights
ESN talks with Seton Catholic’s lone Senior Gavin Erickson
ESN talks with Seton Catholic coach Antonio Buckley
Rest of Quarterfinals
At Sammamish
Final: #3 Seattle Academy 2, #6 Wahluke 0
Seattle Academy advances to the state semi-finals and will face Seton Catholic on Friday at 1pm.
At Highland
Final: #4 Highland 2, #5 Cascade (Leavenworth) 1 (OT)
It took extra time but Highland edged out Cascade to advance to the state semi-finals. Highland will face Overlake on Friday, May 20 at 3pm
At Quincy
#9 Overlake 1, #17 Connell 0
Connell stunned #1 seed and host Quincy on Friday but could not continue the magic on Saturday as Overlake slipped by with the 1-0 win. Overlake heads to the final 4 and takes on Highland at 3pm on Friday.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
Friday, May 19
Feature Matches
At Montesano
#7 Seton Catholic 3, #10 Royal 1
In the 1st half both teams had their chances but spent a lot of time lobbing the ball back and forth with no real runs. But in the 18th minute Royal tried to play it back to the keeper but Sam Soto for the Cougars was there on the spot and fired a shot into the open net for the 1-0 lead that would stand up until halftime.
Royal came out firing in the 2nd half and tied the match in the 47th minute as the ball slipped past to Victor Aquino out of reach of Cougars keeper ZAch Catherall and all Aaquino did was pop the ball over the top of Catherall and it rolled in for the score to tie the match at 1-1.
Seton Catholic’s Sam Soto then struck again for the Cougs ripping a laser shot past Knights keeper Juan Neito Soriano in the 58th minute for the go ahead score 2-1. The Cougars would then ice the match when Zeek Valencia-Mendez was in the right place at the right time. A mad scramble for the ball in front of the goal and it leaked through to him and he re-directed it across the line for a 3-1 lead which would be the final score.
Out Thorbeckes MVP’s for the match went to the Cougars Sam Soto and for Royal, Victor Aquino, both Sophomoires.
Royal’s season is over and they finished 14-6, Seton Catholic improved to 16-2-2 and will play Montesano/NW Christian (Colbert) Saturday at 1pm in a winner to the final 4, loser out quarterfinal match.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
ESN Postgame Show
Game Highlights
#2 Montesano 1, #15 NW Christian (Colbert) 0
The score at halftime was 1-0 Montesano but it felt like a 7-7 tie as both teams not only had chances to score they had great opportunities. Shots just missing over the crossbar, the ball just off the tip of the toes and another shot that looked like it hit under crossbar for the Bulldogs.
The lone goal came from an attack by Montesano and a long solid kick from Felix Romero that was saved by Crusaders keeper Michael Siemens but it bounced off of him and Monte’s Luke Clements was there to chip it in for the lone score of the half.
The 2 teams battled throughout the 2nd half in a physical match with tons of scoring opportunities but neither team could break through again as both defenses dominated this match. The amount of offense that was displayed in the game this could have easily been a 6-5 outcome but keepers Jayden McElravy for Montesano and Michael Siemens for NWC combined for 29 saves, 15 for McElravy and 14 for Siemens. This also does not count the number of near misses that went just over the crossbar, hit the post or pulled just right of left of goal.
The keeper play was so impressive they swept our Thorbeckes MVP awards going to both McElravy and Siemens.
#2 Montesano is now 19-1 on the season and with the stunning loss by #1 Quincy to #17 Connell remain the highest seed left in the tournament. NWC (Colbert) finished the year 15-4. The Bulldogs will play Seton Catholic at 1 pm on Saturday in the Quarterfinals. Winner to the final 4, loser is out.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
ESN Post Game Show
Game Highlights
Rest of Schedule
At Sammamish
#3 Seattle Academy 2, Cedar Park Christian 0
Seattle Academy got the win over Cedar Park Chr to advance to the quarterfinals against #6 Wahluke.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
#6 Wahluke 4, #11 Columbia-White Salmon 3
Wahluke edged out the Grizzlies to advance to the quarters on Saturday against #3 Seattle Academy.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
At Highland
#5 Cascade (Leavenworth) 4, #12 King’s Way Christian 0
Cascade a traditional power rolled over King’s Way Christian in a big shut-out win to advance to the quarterfinals. For more on this match check out the story in the Wenatchee World by Rand Stevens.
#4 Highland 4, Tonasket 0
Highland advances to face Cascade on Saturday in the quarterfinals. For more on this match read about it in the Yakima Herald-Republic.
At Quincy
#9 Overlake 1, #8 Vashon Island 0
The 8 vs 9 match is always supposed to be close and this one did not disappoint with Overlake slipping past the Pirates to advance to the quarters.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
#17 Connell 3, #1 Quincy 2
Connell simply stunned the top seeded Jackrabbits and did it on Quincy’s home field. For more on this game read Rand Stevens story in the Wenatchee World.
Link to watch full replay on the NFHS Network
Play-In Games (Winners to Final 16, Losers Out)
#14 Cedar Park Christian 3, #19 Lakeside (9-Mile) 0
#15 NW Christian (Colbert) 3, #18 Life Christian Academy 2
#20 Tonasket 2, #13 King’s 1
#17 Connell 2, #16 Chelan 1
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