By Joe Hagen
Herald Writer
BELLINGHAM – The Sehome boys soccer team used an explosive offense and a suffocating defense to beat Meadowdale 3-0 in a Northwest District 3A semifinal game at Bellingham Civic Stadium Monday night.
Sehome goalkeeper Brendan Carroll, who earned the shutout, faced no shots in the second-half, while all three Sehome goals were scored within the first 22 minutes.
“We managed to catch them on their heels in the first half, and our defense didn’t give them many opportunities in the second half,” said Sehome coach Jonathan Fleck. “Our play has been a bit stagnant lately, but we stepped up tonight when we needed to.”
By beating Meadowdale, Sehome moved within one win of the district title and an automatic state birth. The Mariners advanced to the final against Squalicum at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Bellingham. The teams have split their two previous meetings this year.
Meadowdale, meanwhile, can still earn an invitation in the district consolation bracket. It needs to beat Burlington-Edison Wednesday, and win two more games later in the week to qualify.
For Meadowdale and Sehome, Monday night’s game was a little bit of unfinished business. Their previous meeting ended in a 1-1 tie in the season-opening game back in the second week of March
So, it was good start for Sehome when Chris Cheesman literally kicked the game off with his first-minute goal. Teammates Dustin Johnson and Chris Jepson padded the lead later in the second-half with goals of their own.
“They beat us tonight with consistent pressure and with good ball movement,” said Meadowdale coach Darrell Hamilton.
“I felt we played much stronger defense in the second-half, but Sehome’s was unfortunately just as good.” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get another chance at them later in the week.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
