By Dan Sargent
Herald Writer
BELLINGHAM – All the odds were stacked against Sultan.
Second-leading goal scorer Brayton Knapp had just finished a 90-minute Olympic Development Premier game. Lynden Christian held a 2-to-1 series advantage. Sultan was playing without its starting sweeper, who was ineligible for having received a red card in his previous game. And the Turks were starting a lineup dominated by underclassman versus a senior-filled Lynden Christian squad.
Even so the score was tied at the end of regulation and overtime periods before Lynden Christian defeated Sultan 2-1 in the 11th round of a shootout to take the Class 2A quarterfinal boys soccer state playoff game at Bellingham Civic Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Lynden Christian will play in the semifinals at 9 a.m. Friday at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Lynden Christian’s Wayne Brisbane made his shot in the 11th round of penalty kicks to put the pressure on Sultan’s Keith Dillenbeck. Dillenbeck’s shot had North Cascade’s first-team goal-keeper Aaron Bogaard beat, but it just sailed wide enough to bounce off the inside of the right post to give the Lyncs the victory.
“Another inch inside and we are still going (in penalty kick rounds),” Sultan coach Greg Stamatiou said.
Sultan bucked the odds in the 37th minute, as David Gideon headed the ball over the on coming Bogaard to take a 1-0 lead at the end of the first half.
Sultan’s momentum was hampered in the second half by the referee’s calls. Lynden Christian received a 5-1 ratio on calls in the second half. Sultan received four yellow cards and its assistant coach was sent off.
The only thing keeping Sultan from sinking all-together was the play of NCC second-team senior goalkeeper Aaron Johnson.
Johnson stopped a penalty kick by the Lyncs’ Nicholas Ammons in the 47th minute to preserve Sultan’s lead. The penalty kick was awarded on a hand ball call.
Lynden Christian got on the board in the 57th minute on a Brian Haan rebound goal. Lyncs midfielder Matt Roosma drove a shot for the far corner of the goal. Sultan’s Johnson drove and deflected the ball to the feet of Haan.
Sultan will graduate five seniors including captains Matt Morrill and Johnson.
“They deserved a little bit better, but that they way the ball bounces and they have had a great career,” Stamatiou said.
Sultan should bring back nine starters, including five freshmen and three sophomores and should be a contender in the NCC again next season.
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