1A/B girls soccer: Cedar Park Christian gets repeat

UNIVERSITY PLACE — Once again, Cedar Park Christian's state-championship hopes came down to penalty kicks. It was a situation the Eagles were familiar with, having won last year's state-title game and Friday night's Class 1A/B girls soccer semifinal against Archbishop Murphy in shootouts.

Cedar Park Christian outscored Bellevue Christian 4-3 in a shootout to win 2-1 at Curtis High School and repeat as state champion.

As in the semifinal victory, Sarah Martinez delivered the winning kick, sending a shot past Vikings goalkeeper Stephanie Kansky in the fifth round of the shootout.

The shootout was made necessary after the score was deadlocked 1-1 after regulation and two five-minute overtimes in a very physical game.

Cedar Park's Monique Lee scored in the second minute of the game for a 1-0 lead, but Anne Edwards scored on a header in the 30th minute for Bellevue Christian to tie the score.

"We could've won it in regulation, and I wouldn't object," said Cedar Park Coach Ben Waggoneer. "It was a great game; it had its highs and its lows. It was back and forth. Each team had opportunities to win. It's only fitting that it goes down to penalty kicks."

Cedar Park was prepared for such a situation.

"Once the postseason starts," Waggoneer said, "we practice penalty kicks every day."

Bellevue Christian practiced penalty kicks as well, but Coach Larry Royce said the Vikings haven't been in that situation in four years.

"That was the one advantage they've had," Royce said. "Last night, and last year, they've won in a shootout. You got to give Cedar Park credit for doing it in a great situation."

In the shootout, Tarianne Merrill, Monique Lee, Amy Kepler and Martinez made their kicks for Cedar Park. Eagles goalkeeper Miranda Santee blocked shots by BC's Theresa Morelli and Angela Jack.

In Friday's shootout with Archbishop Murphy, Santee stopped the Wildcats' first shot, which proved to be the difference.

"Last night prepared her for today," Waggoneer said of Santee. "You can't have the game-winning goal without the game-winning kick."

Cedar Park finished the season with a 16-1-2 record. Bellevue Christian ended at 18-2-0.

Archbishop Murphy 4, Brewster 0 (3rd-4th place) — The Wildcats (18-1-1) from Everett scored all their goals in the second half to rout the Bears. Lindsey Shandera scored twice and assisted on a goal by her sister Danielle. Kat Taylor scored the first goal, her 34th of the season. Lindsay Krell earned the shutout in goal for the Wildcats. Brewster (14-3-1) was outscored 12-1 in its two weekend games.