MOUNT VERNON – The Archbishop Murphy Wildcats boys soccer team are 2A state tournament-bound for the first time.
The Wildcats bid Sultan auf Wiedersehen as they defeated the Turks 2-1 in a District 1 winner-to-state semifinal game Wednesday at Mount Vernon High School. German exchange student Alex Bickmann scored a low, driving 31-yard shot into the right corner of the net in the 49th minute to give Murphy a 1-0 lead. It was Bickmann’s third goal in two district playoff games.
“I felt like I had not taken any shots, so I was open and I took a shot after noticing their keeper was out of position,” Bickmann said.
“He has been stepping it up the last couple of games,” Wildcats coach Jon Echols said. “He is peaking at the right time of the season for us.”
The Wildcats’ Joe O’Connell scored a knock-down goal eight minutes later off a Kyle Blackbourne cross from the right side. The cross was “dummied” by teammate Justin Ryan, who led the defense to believe he was going to field the pass.
Sultan’s Jordan Davison scored a late goal in the 76th minute.
“I am happy that I could score, but it was our defense that won us the game,” Bickmann said. “They had a great game and it feels really good to go to state.”
At Mt. Vernon H.S.
Goals-Sultan: Davison. Archbishop Murphy: Bickmann, O’Connell. Assists-Archbishop Murphy: Blackbourn. Goalkeepers-Sultan: Olaso. Archbishop Murphy: Ungs. Records-Sultan 7-7-2 overall. Archbishop Murphy 12-5-0.
Lakewood 3, Meridian 2 (shootout): At Mount Vernon, Lakewood goalkeeper Drew Scott saved the last two Meridian penalty kicks to lead Lakewood to a 2A state tournament berth.
“We trust him back there because he is a very solid keeper and he made two big saves,” Lakewood coach Vaughn Vandelac said.
The Cougars play Archbishop Murphy for the third time to decided the district champion at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mount Vernon High School.
“It will be a very physical game,” Lakewood junior forward Andrew Escalante predicted.
Meridian plays Sultan for the final state berth at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Mount Vernon High School.
At Mt. Vernon H.S.
Goals-Lakewood: Throndsen, Matsuo. Meridian: Jorgensen 2. Penalty Kicks: Roberts, Trevino, Matsuo. Meridian: Jorgensen, Couweleers. Goalkeepers-Lakewood: Scott. Meridian: Abelman. Records-Lakewood 14-4-0 overall. Meridian not reported
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