By Dan Sargent
Herald Writer
MOUNT VERNON – Experience paid dividends for Monroe.
Last year’s 3A state champion captured the third and final 4A state berth from the Northwest District with a 1-0 victory over Mariner Friday at Mount Vernon H.S.
Monroe’s Brian Gullikson shot the ball into the open net after Mariner goalkeeper Clint Billen got caught up in a pile of players going after a loose ball. The ball was loose in front of the Mariner goal following a 45-yard free kick by Monroe’s Blake Bural in the 79th minute.
“It was flicked on and I turned and the ball was there,” Gullikson said. “I gave it a little poke and it happened to go in.”
“It was a typical Monroe goal. When all else fails, put it into the box and hope someone gets it on a knock down,” Monroe coach Paul Hurme said. “And Gully got there.”
Monroe’s senior defenders Bural, Austin Allen and Bill Bordner frustrated and snuffed out most of Mariner’s offensive chances.
“We have a fortunate situation having a group of defenders that have played together for two years,” Hurme said. “I think experience counts for a lot.”
When Mariner did get past the Monroe defenders, goalkeeper Ben Dragavon was there to deny the rest of Mariner’s opportunities.
“He’s just a top-notch keeper,” Mariner coach Rick Lee said.
Mariner proved that they could play with the best of teams this year. Mariner made the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
“What a heckuva season.” Hurme said. “They won one game last year and they came back this year and not only made the playoffs, but got a winning record and knocked off Oak Harbor and Jackson. That’s a storybook year.”
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