Marysville-Pilchuck can’t prevail in shootout this time

Published 11:43 pm Friday, May 29, 2009

LAKEWOOD — The Marysvile-Pilchuck Tomahawks were riding their shootout luck throughout the Class 4A state boys soccer tournament.

Friday evening that luck finally came to an end.

After knocking its previous two opponents out via the tiebreaker, Marysville-Pilchuck had the tables turned in the semifinals, being ousted by South Kitsap 2-1 in penalty kicks at Harry Lang Stadium.

The defeat was Marysville-Pilchuck’s first of the season and ended the Tomahawks’ dream of a first boys soccer state title in school history.

“It was really rough,” a tearful Marysville-Pilchuck co-captain Jeff Jensen said. “It was a really hard-fought game, but it doesn’t always go your way. That’s one of the things about soccer you both love and hate. It’s rough sometimes.”

Justin Moore scored the regulation goal, and all five kickers converted their penalties for South Kitsap (14-3-1), which won the shootout 5-3. The Wolves face Pasco in today’s championship game.

Kevin Chavez scored in regulation for Marysville-Pilchuck (18-1-2), which was consigned to the third-place game against Woodinville at 3 p.m. today.

“I think it’s tough for our guys,” said Marysville-Pilchuck coach Geoff Kittle, who this season guided his team to the first league and district titles, as well as first state playoff victories, in school history. “I think our guys really felt they were the best team in the state, but that’s why we play the games.

“But I’m very proud of them,” Kittle continued. “They did an outstanding job this season — and it’s not over. We can come out (today) and win a third-place trophy, and that would be a huge accomplishment for our team.”

Friday’s game was a thrilling back-and-forth contest that could have turned at any moment during the 90 minutes of regulation or in overtime.

When it went to the shootout, the Tomahawks had plenty of confidence. Marysville-Pilchuck beat Gig Harbor in the opening round and Issaquah in the quarterfinals on penalty kicks, converting every single one of their attempts in the process.

But South Kitsap goalkeeper Daniel Lathrop ended that string. With the Wolves leading 3-2 in the shootout Lathrop sprawled to his left to smother Brady Ballew’s attempt and give South Kitsap the advantage. That was all the Wolves needed as South Kitsap put all five of their attempts into the corners, where Tomahawks goalie Kyle Bluhm had no chance.

“You keep playing with the devil on these shootouts and eventually you get bit,” Kittle lamented.

It was the second time Lathrop proved the hero. With nine minutes remaining in regulation, Ballew, who was dangerous throughout the match, was played clean through on goal by John Crenshaw. However, Lathrop laid out to deny Ballew’s shot and keep the score tied.

Then in overtime Ballew had an argument for a penalty kick as, after he beat his man, it appeared he was pulled down from behind while in the penalty box. However, no foul was called — despite the howls of protest from the Tomahawks and their fans — and the game went to the shootout, which ramped up the tension in what was already an exciting game.

“I thought we played really well,” Jensen said. “We had a lot of pressure and created some really close opportunities. It was definitely intense.”

Marysville-Pilchuck quickly found itself playing from behind as the Wolves struck less than three minutes into the game. Moore found a glimmer of daylight down the right and fired a low shot from a tight angle that slipped under Bluhm, giving South Kitsap the early lead.

But, as had become its pattern in the postseason, Marysville-Pilchuck responded quickly upon surrendering a goal. In the 13th minute, Elwood Sevon fired a shot from 25 yards out that Lathrop just got a finger to, putting the shot off the crossbar. The ball caromed back out front where Chavez — who came onto the field as a substitute just seconds earlier — raced in to slot home the rebound, tying it up at 1-1.

The chances kept coming during a frantic second half. Early on, Ballew had a free kick from just outside the penalty box shave the top of the crossbar, while Moore hooked a volley over from six yards out.

After Lathrop denied Ballew’s breakaway, South Kitsap’s Brent Ricigliano nearly won it in the final minute of regulation.