SHORELINE — King’s defeated University Prep on Saturday night in a 1A state quarterfinal match.
After regulation ended in a 1-1 tie, the Knights won the shootout 4-2.
Katie Stella scored for King’s in the 20th minute for King’s and also notched a goal in the shootout.
Other shootout scorers for the Knights were Maddie Nielsen, Avalon Albright, and Abby Jenkins.
King’s head coach Nicole Gabelein said she stressed the idea that in order to be successful, her team needed to treat the match just like they would any other match.
“I just told the girls to enjoy the moment and play their brand of soccer,” said Gabelein. “It was important for them to not get sidetracked from their style of play or get psyched out with nerves.”
Gabelein noted that although she thinks her squad was a hair nervous in the early going, they made up for it by settling down in the second half and finishing strong.
She pointed out how proud she was of her seniors for setting an example for the younger players on the team by playing through injuries and in some cases, illness.
“The seniors were mentally strong and their leadership took over,” said Gabelein. “We had sick players and a senior hurt early on but she powered through it and it was a testament to the team to push through and worth all their effort.”
With the victory, King’s advances to the state semifinals where they will face Seattle Christian on Nov. 20 at Shoreline Stadium.
At Shoreline Stadium
Goals—Katie Stella (K), Ellie Marks (UP). Shootout Goals— Maddie Nielsen (K), Stella (K), Avalon Albright (K), Abby Jenkins (K). University Prep shootout goals not reported. Goalkeepers—University Prep: Not reported. King’s: Nielsen. Records—University Prep 14-3 overall. King’s 15-2-4.
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