Monroe’s Trent Skurdal pesters Everett’s Roberto Mata Castellon during a 3A District soccer match on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
MONROE — After the Everett High School boys soccer team’s last kick of the penalty shootout struck the left post, every Monroe player sprinted toward senior goalkeeper Brandon Alonso to celebrate the nail-biting victory.
Alonso, who typically plays center-back but took over the goalie position this season due to a shortage in keepers, stepped up big for the Bearcats in their 2-1 victory over the Seagulls in their Class 3A District 1 loser-out game Thursday night. Monroe won the penalty kicks 7-6.
Alonso saved one shot during the shootout and had other crucial blocks during regular time to help Monroe (8-5-4) advance to the district quarterfinals against Edmonds-Woodway on Saturday.
“Instincts,” said a heavy-breathing but relieved Alonso about his save in the shootout. “Every PK was on the side I wanted to go, and I got that big save.
“Gavin (Nolan), Zach (Pazier), Matthew (Gunter) and (Bryan) Davis have all just been holding it down for me (on defense),” he continued. “If it wasn’t for them, we probably wouldn’t have won tonight.”
With a 1-1 score after regular time and two five-minute overtime periods, the game was decided from the mark. And after both teams each missed one kick, Bearcats sophomore midfielder Alvin Mendez netted his shot to give Monroe a 7-6 advantage leading into the final sequence.
“I’m super proud of these guys to overcome that, to keep battling, to keep composure all the way through penalties,” Monroe coach Korey Hope said. “(Alonso’s) a gamer. And he’s a leader. He’s the spirit of the program, along with some of our other senior guys. … And for him to play an entire season in goal … it’s crazy. … He will step into any position on the field and bring some joy to it and just give it everything. It’s infectious, so we owe him a lot.”
After a scoreless first half, Monroe broke the ice off a corner kick in the 66th minute. Junior midfielder Cody Duncan delivered a left-footed cross to the back post, which after being bounced around, fell to the feet of senior defender Gavin Nolan, who placed it in the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Everett responded in approximately the 75th minute when senior forward Nathan Raines was fouled in the box for a penalty. Senior defender Stephen Post calmly placed the shot in the bottom right corner to tie it 1-1.
Seagulls senior goalkeeper Tristan Slater also had a respectable showing, helping to stop several Monroe shots, which kept Everett in the game leading up to the shootout.
Everett finished the season 8-9-1.
“The last few weeks, we’ve really been preaching competition and greatness and just showing a passion for the game, and I told the boys if they bought into those three aspects strongly it would reflect on the pitch and in our play,” Everett coach Ryan Gamache said. “I truly think it showed, especially winning that penalty after going down one-nil. That’s a true sign of character, and that’s what I’m going to take away from this. I’m super proud of them for that.”
The Monroe Bearcats swarm goalkeeper Brandon Alonso after he helped the team seal a victory during a 3A District soccer match against Everett that went to PKs on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Tanner Summers heads the ball upfield during a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Tanner Summers jumps over Everett goalkeeper Tristan Slater after a save by Slater during a 3A District soccer match on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Gavin Nolan scores the first goal of the contest during a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Gavin Nolan celebrates a goal during a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s Nathan Raines fights his way to the box before getting fouled for a penalty kick during a 3A District soccer match against Monroe on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s Stephen Post puts a late penalty kick in the back of the next to send a 3A District soccer match against Monroe to extra time on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s Roberto Mata Castellon heads the ball away from the goal during a 3A District soccer match against Monroe on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Trent Skurdal is called for a yellow card during a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Tony Granados slips past Everett’s Roberto Mata Castellon during a 3A District soccer match on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett goalkeeper Tristan Slater comes down with a set piece during a 3A District soccer match against Monroe on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Connor Dayley and Everett’s Sean Wright collide while chasing down the ball during a 3A District soccer match on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Tanner Summers reacts with disgust after narrowly missing a goal during a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s J’aiden Cranwell-Meneses leaves a Monroe defender in the dirt while advancing the ball during a 3A District soccer match on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe and Everett players go up for a corner kick during a 3A District soccer match on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s Liang Jimenez plays keep away from multiple defenders during a 3A District soccer match against Monroe on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe’s Cody Duncan chases down a loose ball over his head during a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Monroe goalkeeper Brandon Alonso makes a save during penalty kicks in a 3A District soccer match against Everett on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s squad reacts as they fall behind in penalty kicks during a 3A District soccer match against Monroe on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at Monroe High School in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Five of the six Panthers who will play at state are seniors who attended elementary school together.
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