Tomahawks lose 2-1 to Puyallup in shootout

Published 11:13 pm Tuesday, May 13, 2008

PUYALLUP — The Marysville-Pilchuck boys soccer team found a way to extend its memorable season on Tuesday night.

Just not by as much as the Tomahawks would have preferred.

After playing 80 minutes of regulation and two five-minute overtime sessions to a draw, Marysville-Pilchuck lost its opening game of the 4A state tournament by way of a shootout. Host Puyallup beat the Tomahawks 2-1 on penalty kicks.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get it done,” M-P coach Geoff Kittle said at 9:15 p.m., more than two hours after the match started. “But we had our opportunities.”

Making its first appearance in a state soccer tournament since 1985, Marysville-Pilchuck showed some early nerves but eventually settled into a groove. The Tomahawks matched Puyallup’s offensive onslaught for the entire second half and most of overtime, eventually falling when the Vikings scored four penalty kicks to the Tomahawks’ three.

“It was one of the best games we played,” said Marysville-Pilchuck goalkeeper Erik Cruz, who made five of his 17 saves in overtime. “We almost had it.”

Marysville-Pilchuck (15-4) spent most of Tuesday’s first half in pursuit. Whether they were chasing Puyallup’s never-ending slew of attackers or just trying to stay close on the scoreboard, the Tomahawks fought an uphill battle for 37 minutes.

But a steady defensive effort, led by senior Brian Nobach and brothers Keir and Sayer Torkkola, kept Marysville-Pilchuck in the game. Puyallup had eight shots, but only Justin Veltung’s seventh-minute goal went in, putting the Vikings ahead 1-0.

But with a stunning suddenness, Marysville-Pilchuck changed the complexion of the game in the 37th minute.

Senior midfielder Nickolas Burdett corralled a ball along the left sideline, then fired a perfect crossing pass in front of the Puyallup goal. Teammate John Crenshaw leaped helplessly as the ball sailed over his head, but M-P’s Brady Ballew was right behind him to put it away.

Ballew’s header tied the score and effectively shifted the momentum that had favored Puyallup for most of the first half.

“That helped the whole momentum turn our way,” Cruz said. “Everybody stepped up their emotion and started playing better soccer.”

Through the 40 minutes that led into halftime, Puyallup had 24 scoring chances, to just three for Marysville-Pilchuck. The Vikings outshot the Tomahawks 10-2. And yet, the second half started with the two teams even on the scoreboard.

The final 40 minutes of regulation were more balanced, yet neither team could score the game-winner. Cruz made six saves during the second half, and also outraced Puyallup strikers to loose balls in front of the goal a number of times.

Cruz continued to shine in the two overtime sessions, keeping the Vikings off the scoreboard despite plenty of scoring opportunities.

“He made some huge saves at the end,” Kittle said. “If it weren’t for him, we wouldn’t have made it to the shootout.”

At Sparks Stadium

Goals—Puyallup: Veltung; M-P: Ballew. Assists—Puyallup: Heale; M-P: Burdett. Goalkeepers—Puyallup: Bilharz; M-P: Cruz. Records: Marysville-Pilchuck 15-4.