State soccer preview: Capsules for the 4A state final four
Published 1:30 am Wednesday, May 22, 2019
CLASS 4A BOYS SOCCER STATE TOURNAMENT
Where: Sparks Stadium (Puyallup)
Semifinal 1: Ferris (18-1-0) vs. Mount Si (16-2-0), 6 p.m. Friday
Semifinal 2: Jackson (18-1-1) vs. Puyallup (18-2-0), 8 p.m. Friday
Third-place match: semifinal 1 loser vs. semifinal 2 loser, noon Saturday
Championship match: semifinal 1 winner vs. semifinal 2 winner, 5 p.m. Saturday
Jackson: Coming off their first league title in 14 years, the Timberwolves checked off another milestone last Friday when they beat Federal Way 2-1 to earn their program’s first-ever state semifinal berth. Jackson has outscored opponents 64-9 this spring while matching its win total from the previous three seasons combined. Kevin Giessler (16 goals and 10 assists), Jacob Williams (15 goals) and Adan Fernandez (nine goals and 12 assists) lead a balanced attack that’s seen 12 different Timberwolves find the back of the net.
Puyallup: After seven straight years of reaching state but falling short of the final weekend, the Vikings broke through last Saturday to earn their second state semifinal trip in program history. Puyallup has outscored opponents 74-9 this season and has allowed just one goal in its last eight matches. The Vikings’ high-powered attack is led by Logan Oyama (19 goals and 11 assists), Craig Johnson (15 goals and 14 assists) and Dane Helle (13 goals).
Ferris: The Saxons have the most accomplished history of the four semifinalists, with this being their program’s sixth state semifinal trip. Ferris ousted defending state champion Pasco in a thrilling quarterfinal last Saturday, winning 3-2 on Liam Kelly’s goal-scoring header in the second overtime period. The Saxons have outscored opponents 56-9.
Mount Si: The Wildcats are making their first-ever state semifinal appearance. Mount Si has won 12 of its last 13 contests, with the only loss during that stretch being a penalty-kick defeat to Jackson in the 4A Wes-King Bi-District title match two weeks ago. The Wildcats have outscored opponents 55-23.
