Northwest Christian Settles For Fourth After Falling 2-0 At State A/B Playoffs

Coming off emotional semifinal losses, scoring first seemed to be the key for Northwest Christian and Lynden Christian entering their consolation game in the WIAA/U.S. Bank State A/B boys soccer playoffs.

The Lyncs (11-2) notched the first goal and went on to a 2-0 win in the game for third and fourth place at Shoreline Stadium Saturday afternoon.

“When they got that first goal, our emotions just dropped,” said Northwest Christian senior cocaptain Josh Ogle.

The Crusaders (13-3-1) lost to Seattle Christian 4-1 in their semifinal game Friday and had trouble regrouping.

“I put most of myself into the game yesterday,” admitted senior co-captain David Hume. “We didn’t have as much excitement.”

Any excitement they had coming in was defused early.

The Crusaders, the only Class B school in the final four, fell behind when Chad Kooy looped a shot over Northwest Christian keeper Nate Thompson just 6:15 into the game.

“My kids had an emotional game yesterday. I was worried about a letdown on their part,” said Lynden Christian coach Len Fakkema. “That first goal made my kids more intense.”

The Crusaders could net none of their six first-half shots. Lynden Christian keeper Jess Pauley made three saves to help deny the Crusaders.

Northwest Christian had to play nearly all of the second half without starting defender Andy Couch, who sprained his right ankle midway through the first half.

Northwest Christian’s best opportunity came with 21:30 left in the game on a free kick from deep in the corner. The kick went far post, but Steve Warren just missed getting a head on it.

The Lyncs countered immediately with a breakaway. With the NWC defenders looking for an offside call, Kooy passed to a wide-open Nathan Zystra. Zystra beat Thompson to put Lynden Christian up 2-0 with 20:34 left in the game.

Jim Marr tried to close the gap, but sent a shot from 15 yards out just high with 9 minutes left.