Soccer: District 3/4 4A @ Art Crate Field: Bellarmine Advances to State With Shutout Victory

(Spanaway, WA) The District 3/4 4A boys soccer tournament continued on Thursday with the Tahoma Bears taking on the Bellarmine Lions at Art Crate Field in a winner-to-state game with the loser playing on Saturday for one final chance to make the state tournament.

Bellarmine 2, Tahoma 0

Both teams were shutout in their first game of the district tournament before winning on Tuesday with shutouts of their own, the Tahoma Bears and Bellarmine Lions looked to punch their ticket to the state tournament.

The Lions would start off fast as they were able to create multiple chances in the first few minutes of the match but weren’t able to get by Tahoma’s keeper, Cohen Storch early in the match. The Bears then took control of the match as they started to create opportunities offensively for the next portion of the half. Bellarmine’s back line stood tall as they were able to keep Tahoma out of the 18 and limit the Bears from getting many shots on net. In the 27th minute, Jagger Judkins made a great run for Bellarmine up the right side, took the ball into the box, turned, and fired a shot that snuck under the crossbar and into the net for the first goal of the match as the Lions led 1-0. Tahoma responded with more offense but couldn’t generate many shots on frame as Ethan Faini saved the shots they were able to put on net. Bellarmine kept their 1-0 lead at the half.

In the second half, Tahoma turned the pressure up a notch and continued to keep the ball in their attacking third but the Bellarmine defense remained firm. The Lions kept Tahoma out of the box for the majority of the half while limiting their fouls committed. Tahoma had some good chances on set pieces but was unable to connect. Bellarmine used a great performance from their defense to create a chance in the 77th minute as Judkins was able to set up Zak Khan as part of a three-on-one opportunity, which Khan scored to make it 2-0 with Bellarmine in the lead. Tahoma attempted to rally late in the match but the Lions defense got stronger and stronger and was able to get the shutout victory 2-0 and advance to state.

Tahoma will face Union on Saturday in a loser-out, winner-to-state match, a match that will be on the Eli Sports Network. The state bracket will be revealed on Sunday.

Our Takin’ it to the House Play of the Game was Zak Khan’s goal that assured Bellarmine the win and a trip to state. Our Thorbeckes MVP went to Jagger Judkins who had a goal and an assist for the Lions.