Central Kitsap defeated Mountain View 2-1 in the 3A State quarterfinals on Saturday at McKenzie Stadium.
With two goals in the final five minutes, the Cougars were able to bring the Thunder’s run of dominance to a halt.
Mountain View struck first with a 14th minute goal by Ellie White. Fiona Andrews was able to find White with a perfect pass on the 6-yard line.
“Great build up, great goal,” head coach Dustin Johnson said. “At the same time being in the postseason these are all going to be close games. We had to keep pushing and we did for the majority of the game.”
Both teams traded punches with Mountain View keeper Waverly Iverson holding firm on the back line. Iverson had several saves throughout the match and completely nullified the Central Kitsap aerial attack by collecting each cross the Cougars attempted.
In the 75th minute, Central Kitsap’s Madisyn Diabo found the equalizer from a Paris Agana cross around the 12-yard line.
“The mentality when you get to this level at this stage of the game you have to keep battling no matter what,” Central Kitsap head coach Keith Sargent said. “We’ve been down before, we’ve lost games before but we’re never going to give up.”
Ella Smith’s game winner came in stoppage time on a nearly identical play. Iverson had no chance as the wide-open Smith went far post to seal the victory.
“A couple mishaps at the end and they were able to capitalize,” Johnson said.
Mountain View’s leading goal scorer Olivia Fothergill was kept in check as Central Kitsap’s defense continuously played man defense and refused to give her any chances.
Johnson tried to use Fothergill’s versatility to his advantage, moving her from point forward to central attacking midfielder to both left and right wing yet the momentum never fully went the Thunder’s way.
“Teams really have to compensate for her,” Johnson said. “We were moving her around to try to find gaps and areas to play and try to break down their defense. At times we were able to, at times they were able to shut it down.”
Fothergill and Central Kitsap midfield Marielle Arnold each received yellow cards in the 59th minute as both teams tried to play aggressor.
