Cheney in title game
SUMNER, Wash. – For a second straight year Andrew Wilson walked off Sunset Chevy Stadium in Sumner with tears streaming down his face.
Only this time around they were of the joy variety.
A year after losing in the State 2A boys soccer title game the Cheney Blackhawks are heading back to the championship match after Wilson turned away two penalty kicks to help Cheney notch a 2-1 shootout victory over Prosser Friday.
“It’s just unbelievable to come back here to this field and have it happen like this,” said Wilson, whose team lost last year’s state title game 2-1 to Sehome in overtime. “We’re not done yet. We still have one more.”
Cheney (18-2) will meet Squalicum for the state championship tonight at 7.
The Storm (16-6) advanced to the title match with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Archbishop Murphy.
Claiming to a slim 1-0 lead late in the match, Squalicum gave up a goal with 2 minutes remaining, but reclaimed the lead a mere 15 seconds later to claim a spot in the championship round.
“I didn’t get a chance to see (Squalicum) play, but at this stage everyone is good,” Cheney coach Steve Davis said. “It’s going to be who wants it more.”
Prosser (17-4) immediately went on the offensive attack against the Blackhawks, testing Wilson early with two quality shots on goal.
“They came right at us and were aggressive,” Wilson said, “but we knew it was going to be like that.”
Cheney’s Austin Walker was unable to capitalize on two good looks midway through the first half, missing on a header from point blank 7 minutes in and hitting the cross bar from 20 yards out a minute later.
Things looked headed to a scoreless half when Cheney’s Alex Adams booted it in from 15 yards out after a throw-in by Daniel Igbinoba bounced around a handful of players before rolling to a wide-open Adams.
“That was a big goal right before the half,” Davis said. “Prosser did a great job controlling the midfield and passing the ball tonight. They were a very active team on offense. So getting a lead was big for us.”
Prosser tied the game at 1 on Enrique Romero’s goal in the 59th minute.
After a scoreless overtime Cheney connected on all four of its penalty kicks – getting goals from Paul Holloway, Walker, Grady Early and Evan Cook – while Wilson turned away two of Prosser’s three penalty kicks.
“To stop two penalty kicks in this kind of game is tremendous,” Davis said. “Playing tough defense has been our style all year and it’s why we won again tonight.”