Shoreline Christian places fourth at state

Crusaders fall in semis to Tacoma Baptist

By Tony Dondero

Enterprise reporter

SUMNER

Shoreline Christian ended its season with fourth place in the 2B/1B boys soccer tournament Nov. 22.

Tacoma Baptist scored five unanswered goals to end Shoreline Christian’s title hopes, 5-1, Friday, Nov. 21 in the state semifinals at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.

“Tacoma Baptist was the team to beat. They knew they faced a challenge,” Shoreline Christian coach Peter Thomsen said of his team. “I think there’s a little bit of disappointment of not making it back to the championship but there was the realization they had come a long way from the start of the season.”

Trevor Talen scored off an assist from Jake Linke in the 22nd minute to start things off for Tacoma Baptist and Joshua Peters added a goal and two assists in the 5-1 win.

Shoreline Christian’s lone goal was scored by Michael Sohn in the 68th minute.

Tacoma Baptist beat Shoreline Christian 1-0 in the tri-district playoffs but came out with more firepower in the state semifinal.

“I think they came out very aggressive, a very strong attacking style of game and I don’t think we were ready for that,” Thomsen said. “I think it was more paparetn Fireay than the time before that. They’re a very good team They outplayed us.”

Tacoma Baptist went on to beat St. George’s of Spokane 2-0 for the title on Saturday.

Shoreline Christian lost 2-0 to Riverside Christian of Yakima in the third-place game on Saturday.

Riverside Christian’s Jeremy Pynch scored two unassisted goals.

“We had a couple defensive letdowns, let some people through in their two scoring drives,” Thomsen said. “Had a number of chances of our own but couldn’t covert on them. I think on both days the effort was there and I was pleased with the effort but we weren’t playing as well as a team as I know we’re capable of playing.”

The Crusaders also suffered through some injuries over the weekend. Defender Paul Yu only played a few minutes because of a hairline fracture in his leg and forward Ben Novion only played half of Friday’s game because of back spasms. Defender Robby Boyles missed half of Saturday’s game with a knee injury.

Thomsen, who was assisted by Seattle Pacific grad Chris Grafmiller this season, expects to return for his third season after leading the Crusaders to second and fourth his first two seasons.

Shoreline Christian loses five seniors, all starters, including goalkeeper Davis Wahlman.

“We should maybe even be a stronger team next year, but we’ll have a very new team again,” Thomsen said. “Part of the challenge next year will be taking more deliberate steps to bring the team together earlier than what happened this year.”