By Bob Mortenson
Herald Writer
EDMONDS – Once, twice, thrice.
The Meridian Trojans earned the North Cascades Conference title with a 1-0 victory over the Sultan Turks at Edmonds Stadium on Saturday. It was Meridian’s (17-1 overall) third straight victory over Sultan this season.
Both teams advanced to the 2A state tournament.
Sultan goalkeeper Molly Cramer made a sensational save 21 minutes into the game, deflecting a blistering bullet of a shot over the top bar. Moments after the corner kick by Meridian’s Jennifer Johnson, Katie Johnson drilled a shot from point-blank range that proved fatal for the Turks.
Sultan (14-4) had chances aplenty in the early going, including back-to-back near misses by Heather Howard and Chelsie Axtman. Howard took a pass from Axtman but her shot settled on top of the net.
A minute later, Axtman raced in from the left side and nearly converted off a nice lead from Howard.
Sultan pressed the action in the final minutes of the first half, looking to knot the score. A Mara Potteiger free kick nearly got the job done but Trojan keeper Rebecca Noel made a fine save to keep the Turks at bay.
Sultan controlled the action in the second half. They just missed another opportunity to avert the shutout at the 74-minute mark but the shot by freshman Mindy Cramer just missed to the left and the Trojans were able to hold on.
South Whidbey 2, Blaine 0: They drove the action, now they will drive on to state. The South Whidbey Falcons used a furious attacking style to upend the Blaine Borderites in the third-place game of the 2A Northwest District playoffs at Edmonds Stadium. After forcing the action and keeping Blaine on its heels throughout the first half, the Falcons (11-8 overall) finally hit pay dirt with just under five minutes remaining. Halfback Kim Julius lofted a shot from 35 yards out that caromed high off the turf just over the outstretched arms of the Blaine goalkeeper and rattled the top bar before rolling in. The Falcons’ Natalie Schmitt added a second-half insurance goal at the 60th minute mark to help ice the victory. Goals-SW: Julius, Schmitt. Goalkeepers-SW: Riggs. Blaine: not reported.
Archbishop Murphy 3, Seattle Christian 2 (2 OT): Andrea Bardin Scored the game-winning goal in the second over time of the Class A/B playoff game, propelling the Wildcats into next weekend” state quarterfinals. > Give us your news tips. > Send us a letter to the editor. > More Herald contact information.Talk to us