Sports Briefs

King’s earns state playoff berth

The King’s boys soccer team clinched a state 1A playoff berth and the District 1 No. 1 seed to the bi-district playoffs with wins over Lynden Christian and Meridian last week.

King’s, which opened bi-district play May 10 at Mount Vernon High School, is guaranteed one of four state playoff berths from the bi-district.

The Knights beat Meridian 2-1 in overtime in the District 1 title game May 5 at Mount Vernon High School to earn a berth to state.

Nick Swanson scored the winning goal on an assist from Gabe Fahey. Michael Kenyon scored King’s first goal, which was unassisted.

On May 3 the Knights beat Lynden Christian 3-1 to move on.

King’s also beat Cedarcrest, the Cascade Conference regular season champions, 3-1 in the season finale.

Coach Ben Somoza said the team is starting to jell now that it has its full complement of players.

“We’re definitely moving upwards in the right direction,” Somoza said. “I’ve been happy with the way the team’s playing and the atmosphere within the team.”

While Saturday’s win was a big one for King’s, that day also marked the first time in four years that Somoza wasn’t on the pitch for the Seattle Sounders home opener.

Somoza, who played collegiately at the University of Washington and at Edmonds-Woodway High School, decided to end his playing days and not re-sign with the Sounders, who beat Portland 1-0 at Qwest Field.

Instead, he’s focused on coaching club and high school soccer. Playing in the United Soccer League in his home town was fun for Somoza but players in the league only make $500 to a few thousand a month. All the players coach or have other jobs to supplement their income, he said.

“I love the game but sooner or later you got to move on,” Somoza said.

Shorewood tennis wins Wesco South

Shorewood won its third straight Western Conference South Division tennis title with a 5-2 victory over Meadowdale May 4.

The Thunderbirds (15-1) won the title outright because Jackson (12-4) beat Edmonds-Woodway (14-2) May 4. Edmonds-Woodway, which ended the T-birds’ 45-meet win streak, had been tied with Shorewood entering the final meet of the season.

Senior Kari Fiske won in straight sets and finished the season undefeated at No. 1 singles as the T-birds swept the singles matches against Meadowdale.

Shorewood competes in the 4A Wesco South Division tournament, May 10-12 at Jackson High School and Harbor Square Athletic Club. Action starts at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Scots end with win

Alena Owen won in straight sets at No. 1 singles to lead a Shorecrest sweep over Mountlake Terrace in singles matches May 4.

The Scots beat the Hawks 5-2 to finish the season 10-6, good enough for fourth place in the Western Conference South Division.

Shorecrest plays in the 3A crossover tournament May 10-12 at Jackson High School and Harbor Square Athletic Club. Action starts at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9:30 a.m. Saturday.

Shorecrest grad honored

Shorecrest graduate Geneva Hale, a junior first baseman at Willamette University in Salem, Ore., earned second-team all-Northwest Conference honors for the straight season.

Hale belted seven home runs to tie Willamette’s single-season record, batted .318 in conference play and led the team with 17 walks. Hale is the school’s career leader in home runs with 13 and fourth in career RBIs with 66. She also holds a .986 career fielding percentage.

Let us know your college plans

The Enterprise will publish college plans for athletes in the class of 2007 next month.

Some signings we’ve already reported but not all. Let us know where you’ll competing next year so we can compile a full list. E-mail assistant sports editor Tony Dondero at tdondero@heraldnet.com or call 425-673-6530.