Issaquah’s Ryan Wilkinson (9) and Glacier Peak’s Gael Guerrero (2) fight for the ball and during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
SNOHOMISH — The Glacier Peak High School boys soccer team couldn’t get over the hump in the second half of a winner-to-state duel with Issaquah.
The Grizzlies scored their first goal in the 14th minute, but then went scoreless the rest of the way as they fell to the Eagles 2-1 in a non-elimination Class 4A District 1/2 semifinal game Tuesday night. The Grizzlies will play in another non-elimination, winner-to-state tilt against Mount Si on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Glacier Peak High School.
After Issaquah forward Oliver Dorr broke loose for a score in the 7th minute, Glacier Peak’s Nicholas Miller wheeled in a shot in the 14th as the Grizzlies (11-3-2) held a 1-1 tie going into intermission. However, the Grizzlies 6-foot-5 junior goalkeeper Aiden Larson came up hobbling after a save midway through the first 40 minutes, finishing out the half before being unable to return due to a calf injury.
“We came in missing a player tonight and losing (Larson) to injury was tough,” Glacier Peak coach Dante Casagrande said. “It kind of unbalanced us. The first goal they had on us was a bad mistake that cost us. Their second goal was a great goal, and its okay to get beat by those but we weren’t up for the pressure in the middle.”
Early in the second half Roshan Rajesh netted Issaquah’s go-ahead goal, scored in the 45th minute. Glacier Peak’s defense tightened up as the Grizzlies attempted to carve out a game-tying goal on the other end to extend the contest, but ultimately came up short.
“We had pressure up top but I wouldn’t say we had many opportunities there,” Casagrande said. “We didn’t really put the keeper into save or get anything on frame. We had the pressure, but not enough to create a shot. That was disappointing, for sure.”
After the loss, Glacier Peak will have two more chances in the consolation bracket to secure a win for its first state tournament berth since 2019.
“I don’t know if we were quite ourselves for the game,” Casagrande said. “But, they’re motivated and they know what they need to do. We’ve gone through scenarios and we’re prepared. If we lost this game, we knew what was going to happen and we know what we’ll have to do next.”
Issaquah’s Oliver Dorr (10) and Glacier Peak’s Ethan Jewett (4) fight for the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Issaquah players celebrate during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Issaquah’s Drew Clark-Bolt (16) and Glacier Peak’s Santiago Ballen-Pineda (18) fight for the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Glacier Peak’s Kollin Undseth (3) heads the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Issaquah’s Brecon Adams (3) and Glacier Peak’s Tyler Larsen (13) fight for the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Issaquah’s Oliver Dorr (10) scrambles for the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Issaquah and Glacier Peak players fight for the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Glacier Peak’s Gael Guerrero (2) kicks the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Glacier Peak’s Luke Smith (8) fights for the ball during a Class 4A District 1/2 boys soccer game between Glacier Peak and Issaquah at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Issaquah won, 2-1. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Cleveland was honored for his defensive prowess with Modesto during the 2023 season.
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